NFL Wild Card picks: Best bets for Cowboys vs Buccaneers
Mike Ortiz Jr. makes his NFL picks and predictions for Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Wild Card round of the 2023 NFL playoffs.
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NFC Wild Card Playoff Schedule - Cowboys @ Buccaneers
NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Schedule
Dallas Cowboys (12-5, 4-4 Away) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9, 5-4 Home)
Date: Monday 16 January 2023
Time: 8:15 pm EST
Venue: Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, Florida
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: ABC, ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPD, FuboTV, NFL+
Live Radio: SiriusXM NFL, KRLD-FM 105.3, WXTB 97.9 FM
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Preview
These two teams started their season against each other in Week 1, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning 19-3. Now, they will face off in Wild Card weekend, when one of these teams will see their season come to an end.
These teams are much different than the two that faced off in Week 1. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, which allows 21.1 points per game, good for 13th in the NFL, is a much different unit than they were in Week 1 as they failed to hold anyone to single digits for the rest of the season. Their offense, which looked like a well-oiled machine, is now running like it lost a wheel and just made it into pit row as they barely squeaked into the playoffs.
As for the Dallas Cowboys, they’ve certainly had their fair share of inconsistencies as well. One week they’ll look like Super Bowl contenders and then the next week they’ll look like it’s their first game playing football.
Cowboys vs. Buccaneers Odds, Spread, Moneyline, Over/Under – NFL Wild Card Odds
Moneyline: Dallas Cowboys (-140), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+120)
Spread: Dallas Cowboys +2.5, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5
Total: Over/Under 45.5
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Predictions and Wild Card Picks
With both teams putting their regular seasons behind them, and their focus now on each other, this primetime Monday night football game is going to be absolute fireworks. Unlike their Week 1 matchup, which was all Tampa Bay, I expect this game to be a back-and-forth scoring affair.
While the Buccaneers offense has been stagnant several times this season, their 18.1 points per game, which ranks 25th in the NFL, has shown some promise as of late.
As for the Cowboys, their 27.5 points per game ranks fourth in the NFL and, while they’ve had their fair share of inconsistencies this season, one thing for sure is that this team can score some points. Almost topping 50 points twice this season, this Cowboys offense, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, has a lot of weapons in CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Michael Gallup and now veteran wide receiver T.Y. Hilton added to the mix.
While I’m not going to give you guys the game winner just yet, I will tell you that the total goes over in this one.
The Pick: Over 45.5 (-110)
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have yet to lose to Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys, but that will change on Monday night.
While both teams have shown inconsistencies, this Buccaneers team has been the textbook definition of it. Yes, the Buccaneers have Tom Brady and yes, it’s the postseason, but that weak narrative just isn’t justifiable anymore. This Buccaneers offense is a shell of itself. They showed some prime against a bad Carolina Panthers defense in Week 17 as Mike Evans had a monster day of 10 receptions, 207 yards and three touchdowns, but if you go back and watch that game, the majority of his catches came on blown coverages.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and this Cowboys defense that allows 20.1 points per game, which ranks fourth in the NFL, will be prepared and ready against this Buccaneers offense. Brady will see schemes that he hasn’t seen before, and the old saying that beating him is getting to him, should be no problem for this Cowboys defense, which does a great job at getting to the quarterback, ranking third in the NFL in sacks per game.
The Cowboys have yet to lose two straight this season and have scored 40 or more points following a loss twice this season. How bout’ dem Cowboys?!
The Pick: Dallas Cowboys ML (-140)
Best Cowboys vs Buccaneers Player Prop Bets Today
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott and this fourth-ranked offense has done its thing this season. While they’ve been inconsistent at times, they’ve really stepped up more than they’ve failed. They’ll now draw a Buccaneers team that is a shell of themselves.
This will be a revenge game for Prescott as he’s yet to beat Brady in Tampa Bay. In eight of his 12 games this season, Prescott has thrown for two or more passing touchdowns. Give me the over with great value in this one.
The Pick: Dak Prescott over 1.5 passing touchdowns (-105)
Tom Brady
I know I sound like I’m beating a dead horse here by stating that this Buccaneers team is a shell of itself, but they really are. Scoring 18.1 points per game compared to their 30.1 points per game from a season ago? Same pieces in place, they’re just not working anymore.
In 17 games this season, Brady has thrown for two or more touchdowns six times. This Buccaneers offense is a tough watch and the cannons won’t be firing on Monday night, at least not because of Brady.
