The game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys on December 22, 2024, is shaping up to be an exciting showdown, with both teams fighting for important playoff spots. Set to start at 8:20 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this matchup is especially important for both teams as they head into the final weeks of the NFL season.
Team Overview
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
The Buccaneers are rolling into this game with four straight wins, thanks to a refreshed offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield. In their most recent match, they completely outplayed the Los Angeles Chargers, racking up an impressive 506 total yards—283 through the air and 223 on the ground. Mayfield’s skills in spreading the ball around has been crucial, and he’s set to take advantage of the Cowboys’ weaknesses in both their pass coverage and run defense.
Key offensive players include: Baker Mayfield (QB), Mike Evans (WR), and Rachaad White (RB)
Tampa Bay’s defense has definitely gotten better, but they’ll have to stay disciplined when facing a Dallas offense that can score in a flash.
Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
The Cowboys are rolling into this matchup after snagging three wins in their last four outings, with their latest triumph being a solid 30-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Cooper Rush has really risen to the occasion, racking up 214 passing yards and tossing three touchdowns last week. The offense is looking fresh, especially thanks to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who caught nine passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in that game.
Key offensive players include: Cooper Rush (QB), CeeDee Lamb (WR), and Rico Dowdle (RB)
Even with their recent wins, Dallas has a tough road ahead for making the playoffs. They need to win all their games and also rely on some other teams to lend a hand.
Matchup Analysis
Offensive Strategies
The Buccaneers have been pretty solid when it comes to running the ball, racking up an average of 144.4 rushing yards per game, which puts them at fourth in the NFL. On the flip side, the Cowboys have had a tough time stopping the run, giving up about 136.1 rushing yards per game, landing them at 29th in the league. So, you can bet Tampa Bay will be looking to use their ground game right from the start to set the pace for the game.
Dallas is probably going to focus on fast passes and play-action to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s secondary. Rush’s knack for linking up with Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson will be key for advancing the ball and scoring.
Defensive Matchups
Tampa Bay’s defense has gotten better, but they’ll need to deal with Dallas’s dynamic playmakers. The Buccaneers’ defensive line will focus on putting pressure on Rush while keeping Dowdle’s running game in check. Meanwhile, Dallas’s defense has had a tough time in the red zone, sitting at the bottom with a 73.3% red-zone percentage. This could be a key point if Tampa Bay can keep getting into scoring range.
Betting Insights
Right now, the Buccaneers are favored by 3.5 points, and the over/under is at 48.5 points. Considering how both teams can score and their defensive flaws, putting your money on the over could be a smart move.
Based on their recent games and stats, I think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to take the win in this matchup. They’ve shown a lot of toughness and flexibility on offense and defense throughout their winning streak.
Sports Betting Ace’s Final Score Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31 – Dallas Cowboys 19
This score shows how well Tampa Bay took advantage of Dallas’s defensive weaknesses while keeping enough pressure on Rush to prevent any big plays. The result will have a big effect on both teams’ chances for the playoffs as they approach the end of the season.