Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be aiming to extend their longest straight-up winning streak since 2002 when they take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15's Sunday night matchup.

The 8-5 Buccaneers remained deadlocked with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South standings with last week's 16-11 win over New Orleans as two-point home favorites. Tampa Bay has now covered in five straight overall and is 7-2 SU and against the spread in its past nine games.

The Cowboys saw their 11-game SU win streak end with last week's 10-7 loss to the New York Giants as 3.5-point road chalk. Dallas is winless ATS in three straight after going undefeated in its previous 10 games at sports betting sites.

Point spread: The Cowboys opened as 7.5-point favorites; the total was 46 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via OddsShark computer: 31.1-16.5 Cowboys (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Buccaneers can cover the spread

Tampa Bay now has a 58.7 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to PredictionMachine.com, and has claimed outright victories in its past four games overall when pegged as underdogs. Even more impressive is the Buccaneers' four-game SU win streak on the road, all as betting underdogs.

The Buccaneers defense has powered the club's renaissance. Tampa Bay has surrendered just 12.8 points per game during its five-game surge, holding opponents to 11 or fewer points on three occasions.

The Cowboys offense has sputtered in the past two weeks, averaging just 12 points per game. Dallas is also just 5-14 ATS in its past 19 games when favored by seven or more points.

Why the Cowboys can cover the spread

The Cowboys have been dominant on home turf this season, winning five straight SU while going 4-1 ATS. Dallas has also played stingy defense, limiting opponents to 17 or fewer points in eight of its last 11 games.

Dallas has been a big winner in its past two home dates as favorites of six or more points, outscoring opponents by double digits each time. Those wins also lifted the Cowboys to 13-1 SU in their past 14 games when favored by at least six points.

The Buccaneers have enjoyed little success at the sportsbooks in recent December outings, going a dismal 8-20 ATS over their past 28 games in the month.

Smart pick

The Cowboys have held the upper hand in recent clashes with Tampa Bay, going 5-1 SU in their past six meetings, but they failed to cover the spread in their past two matchups. And the Buccaneers' disciplined play of the past few weeks has frustrated opponents and could pose an issue for the Cowboys, who have been offensively challenged recently.

Look for the Buccaneers to once again defy the oddsmakers with yet another upset victory on the road.

Betting trends

The total has gone under in nine of the Buccaneers' last 11 games against the Cowboys.

The total has gone under in four of the Cowboys' last five games as a favorite.

The Buccaneers are 8-20 ATS in their last 28 games in December.

All NFL lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.