It’s NFL opening day and the Dallas Cowboys are at Raymond James Stadium to play the host and reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Below, we look at the Cowboys vs. Buccaneers prop bet odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Buccaneers come into the 2021 season as heavy favorites to win the NFC and return to the Super Bowl in February 2022. They had a successful offseason while managing to retain all of QB Tom Brady‘s supporting cast on both sides of the ball.
The Cowboys look to shake off an ugly 6-10 season under head coach Mike McCarthy. QB Dak Prescott is reportedly healthy and under center to start the season after missing the bulk of the 2020 campaign due to an ankle injury.
Also see: Cowboys at Buccaneers odds, picks and prediction
Cowboys at Buccaneers prop bet picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott OVER 15.5 rushing attempts (-114)
Elliott averaged 16.3 carries per game last season, but he averaged 17.8 per game over the first five weeks with Prescott under center. He averaged 19.5 carries per game over the 2018 and 2019 campaigns while being named to the Pro Bowl each year.
This line is suppressed largely due to the 8.5-point spread favoring the Buccaneers and the expected negative game script for the Cowboys; however, Dallas is likely to lean on Zeke as much as it can early while working Prescott back from last season’s ankle injury and a shoulder issue in training camp.
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Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard OVER 19.5 receiving yards (-114)
Howard averaged 15.3 yards per reception across his first 42 NFL games, including a 13.3-yard average through four games last season before sustaining injury.
Fans and bettors hold Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski in higher regard, but Tampa Bay started him off slow last season when Howard was healthy, and Howard is listed with the first-team offense to begin 2021. Take the Over on the modest line with only a catch or two likely needed.
Also see: NFL team win totals, playoff lines and Super Bowl odds
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Cowboys WR Amari Cooper OVER 5.5 receptions (+110)
While I’m expecting Elliott to be involved as much as possible early on, the Cowboys will likely need to turn to a pass-heavy scheme in the second half.
Cooper averaged 9.25 receptions for 100.25 yards per game over four full outings with Prescott last season, making this a very manageable number for the No. 1 wideout.
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