The Buccaneers and Cowboys wrap up a crazy Wild Card Weekend tonight in Tampa Bay! Dallas comes into the game as 2.5-point favorites, while the over/under is set at 45.5 points.
THE TEAMS
Despite lackluster and underwhelming performances for most of the regular season, the Bucs won the NFC South by clinching the division in Week 17. Although they’re the only team with a losing record to make the playoffs, they’re also the only team with Tom Brady. If Tampa has any chances of winning tonight, they’ll need Brady to be the best version of himself. Thankfully, that’s pretty much the expectation at this point. It’ll certainly help if Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White can establish the run game, but that may be tough against a very solid Dallas run defence. Tom Brady can still throw 50 balls and win a game, and he may have to do it tonight to see the Buccaneers advance.
For the Cowboys’ offence, taking care of the football is key. In his last seven games, Dak Prescott has thrown 11 interceptions and fumbled the ball four times. If there’s one quarterback you don’t want to give more scoring opportunities in the playoffs, it’s Tom Brady. Although the team has still managed to win five of the games during that stretch, only one of those was against a playoff team with their starting quarterback in action.
BUCCANEERS AND COWBOYS – THE PICK
The sportsbook may favour the Cowboys tonight, but history certainly does not. Dak has won just one playoff game in his career, while Tom Brady is undefeated against Dallas. In their Week 1 meeting this season, Prescott went 14/29 for 134 yards and an interception against Tampa Bay before leaving with a hand injury. The Bucs went on to win that game 19-3. Until we see that Dak can make it happen on the biggest stage, it’s tough to take Dallas to win these games, especially against the winningest football player of all time.
PICK – TAMPA BAY +2.5
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