The football season is back and @BiasedOpinions_ goes through his bets for the Thursday Night Football Game!
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8.5) (O/U 51.5)
The start of the 2021 NFL season is finally here! Tampa Bay returns all 22 starters from last year’s championship team, while Dallas has questions on both sides of the ball. Not to mention QB Dak Prescott coming back from a season-ending ankle injury he sustained in Week 5.
Tampa Bay
In the last game the Buccaneers played, which happened to be Super Bowl LV, they held the Kansas City Chiefs to only nine points while not allowing a TD to secure the victory 31-9. At age 44, QB Tom Brady is giving “Father Time” the fight of his life with no end in sight. Brady is entering his 21st season with sights on an eighth ring.
With all starters on offense and defense returning and pro-bowl players at the skilled positions, a consecutive championship win isn’t unthinkable. Bruce Arians reluctantly gave the offensive reigns to Brady towards the end of the regular season. Due to the favorable ending, Brady should enter tonight’s game with his game plan intact.
Dallas
Unlike the Buccaneers, the Cowboys have a lot of question marks entering this season. Although he sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5 versus the New York Giants, QB Dak Prescott finally agreed to a 4-year, $160M contract to remain on the team that drafted him back in 2016.
The Cowboys’ defense was less than stellar last season, but they addressed their concerns by drafting six defensive players with their first six picks in the 2021 draft. Dan Quinn was hired as the team’s defensive coordinator on January 11, 2021.
Quinn is most notably known for his success in Seattle as the Seahawks led the league in fewest points allowed (231), fewest yards allowed (4,378), and takeaways (39). He will face his first test tonight as I expect the Buccaneers to put up a lot of points with this high-flying offense.
Conclusion
It seems like these two teams are headed in different directions. The Buccaneers seem to have things figured out, while the Cowboys well…not so much.
The spread opened at TB -7 with a total of 51.5. The spread has since increased to -8.5. The jump in points doesn’t bother me, as I expect the Buccaneers to win by at least two scores while putting up a lot of points.
Tampa Bay -8.5
OVER 51.5
Players Props via FanDuel Sportsbook
Ronald Jones – Rushing + Receiving Yds OVER 53.5
Antonio Brown – Total Receptions OVER 4.5
CeeDee Lamb – Receiving Yds OVER 61.5
Dak Prescott – Passing Yds OVER 294.5
Make sure to follow Wil on twitter @BiasedOpinions_ for all of his great betting content!
