Cowboys vs. Buccaneers odds, line, predictions: NFL Kickoff Game 2021 picks from Dallas expert who’s 27-18

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who return all 22 starters from last year’s Super Bowl team, will begin their title defense when they take on the Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday night. The Buccaneers, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV, will be looking for their third title overall. The Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, but none since 1995. Dallas has won seven of the last eight meetings with Tampa Bay, but have not played the Buccaneers since 2018.

Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay is an eight-point favorite in the latest Cowboys vs. Buccaneers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 51.5. Before making any Buccaneers vs. Cowboys picks, make sure to check out the expert NFL predictions from SportsLine NFL expert Emory Hunt.

Hunt is the founder and CEO of Football Gameplan, which has been supplying analysis of all levels of football since 2007, and a former running back at Louisiana-Lafayette. He knows the game from a player’s perspective.

Hunt has had plenty of success in games involving the Cowboys. In fact, he’s on a 27-18 roll on his against-the-spread NFL picks involving Dallas, returning more than $700 to $100 players. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, Hunt has set his sights on Buccaneers vs. Cowboys in the NFL Kickoff Game 2021 and just revealed his NFL expert picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting trends for Cowboys vs. Bucs:

• Cowboys vs. Buccaneers spread: Tampa Bay -8
• Cowboys vs. Buccaneers over-under: 51.5 points
• Cowboys vs. Buccaneers money line: Dallas +310, Tampa Bay -400
• DAL: Cowboys are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games as underdogs
• TB: Over is 8-2 in the Buccaneers’ last 10 games as home favorites

Featured Game | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Why the Buccaneers can cover

Brady continues to defy age and had yet another strong season at age 43. He finished the regular season by completing 401 of 610 passes (65.7 percent) for 4,633 yards, 40 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions. In four postseason games, he completed 81 of 138 passes (58.7 percent) for 1,061 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was intercepted just three times, all coming in the 31-26 NFC Championship Game win at Green Bay.

Brady’s favorite target was wide receiver Mike Evans, who caught 70 passes for 1,006 yards (14.4 average) and 13 touchdowns. Evans had 20 explosive plays of 20 or more yards and converted 55 first downs. He had a pair of touchdown receptions in the playoffs. His most productive game was at Detroit on Dec. 26 with 10 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

Why the Cowboys can cover

Prescott was having a standout year when he went down against the Giants in Week 5. In the five games he played in in 2020, Prescott completed 151 of 222 passes (68 percent) for 1,856 yards and nine touchdowns. He was intercepted four times, but had a rating of 99.6. A year earlier, Prescott had similar numbers over 16 games with a 99.7 rating. That season, he completed 388 of 596 passes (65.1 percent) for 4,902 yards and 30 TDs against just 11 picks. If he continues at that pace, Dallas should find success.

Among those expected to benefit with Prescott’s return is tight end Dalton Schultz, who is expected to play a key role in coach Mike McCarthy’s offense. In 16 games in 2020, Schultz was the Cowboys’ fourth-leading receiver with 63 receptions for 615 yards (9.8 average) and four touchdowns. He had three explosive plays and converted 33 first downs. His most productive game was in a 40-39 Week 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons when he caught nine passes for 88 yards (9.8 average) and one touchdown.

How to make Cowboys vs. Buccaneers picks

Hunt is leaning under on the point total, and he’s also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s only sharing that pick and the rest of his NFL expert picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Buccaneers vs. Cowboys? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see Emory Hunt’s Cowboys vs. Buccaneers pick and analysis, all from the NFL expert who’s 27-18 on picks involving Dallas, and find out.