Bold Predictions for Cowboys' Week 1 Matchup vs. Tom Brady, Bucs

For the second consecutive season, the Dallas Cowboys will attempt to upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.

The Cowboys came close to beating Tom Brady and Co. in their season-opener last year. The teams exchanged the lead twice in the final two minutes, with Greg Zuerlein kicking a go-ahead field goal for Dallas with 1:24 left only for Brady to lead a game-winning drive before a Ryan Succop field goal with two seconds left sealed the deal.

It was a tough loss but it precipitated a six-game win streak.

Despite a lot of roster changes for Dallas this offseason, oddsmakers are anticipating another close game to kick off the season. The Cowboys are two-point underdogs over on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Covering that spread will be difficult with a new-look roster that has plenty of questions. Here's a look at the game through the lens of a few bold predictions.

CeeDee Lamb Goes Off

AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, File

FILE - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb runs with the ball after making a reception during NFL football training camp, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Oxnard, Calif. Lamb is ready to be the No. 1 receiver for the Cowboys. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, File)

The Dallas Cowboys offense is set to be the CeeDee Lamb show in 2022.

The 23-year-old took a step forward in his development in his second season last year. He hauled in 79 of his 120 targets for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns.

This year, he should crush even those numbers.

The Cowboys made it clear they believe in the Oklahoma product's ability to be an elite option by trading away Amari Cooper this offseason.

Last year, Dallas ran the offense through the duo of Cooper and Lamb against the Bucs. The former saw 17 targets, coming down with 13 for 139 yards and two touchdowns; the latter still had 15 targets which he turned into seven catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Lamb could see an even more significant share of the targets without Cooper. With Michael Gallup sidelined, quarterback Dak Prescott will lean heavily on his most familiar target.

The third-year receiver is going to crush this spot for daily fantasy players. He'll go over 10 catches and 150 yards with at least two touchdowns.

Bucs Score Over 30...Again

Chris Godwin was key against the Cowboys last year and returns healthy in 2022. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 09: Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium on September 09, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Last season, the Bucs' offense made Dan Quinn's defense look bad. In reality, the unit was one of the most improved in the league. It should be good again in 2022, but it could be in for a long night in its debut again.

For one, Tom Brady is still lethal within this offense. He shredded the secondary for 379 yards and four touchdowns. The 31 points the team gave up were the second-most they wound up conceding in regulation all year.

Brady was particularly good at finding Anthony Brown. The corner gave up eight completions on nine targets for 127 yards and a touchdown.

That's bad news on two fronts for the Cowboys. First, Brown is still the second corner opposite of Trevon Diggs. Second, Chris Godwin—who had 109 yards in that contest—is reportedly going to be ready to go for the matchup, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Bucs not only have Godwin and Mike Evans but they also added Russell Gage and Julio Jones in the offseason. The Cowboys' secondary depth is going to be tested and it might not be pretty in the first week of the season.

Cowboys Lose by Double Digits

Dak Prescott is going to have to play nearly perfect to upset the Buccaneers. (C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 13: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up before the game against the Denver Broncosat Empower Field At Mile High on August 13, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)

The line here is surprising given how different this Cowboys team is going to be in the early going of the season.

Much of the Dallas core is intact. This team should still vie for the NFC East title, but it's going to take time to develop the players who have to step into the big shoes that have been left behind.

Amari Cooper was a key cog in the passing game. Tyron Smith has been lost for the season to injury. Randy Gregory was a major factor in the pass rush. These aren't pieces that are easy to replace. That's especially true on the immediate timeline that comes with opening the season against a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Maybe Prescott and Lamb are enough to carry the offense in the early going. Maybe Micah Parsons is able to make some plays and Trevon Diggs goes right back to being a ball hawk, but this Tampa team is too talented and too deep to make that likely.

This one could get rought despite the close odds.

Prediction: Bucs 38, Cowboys 24

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