Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

In a rare Saturday-night affair, the 7-6 Dallas Cowboys will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the struggling 4-9 Buccaneers. With the Cowboys firmly in the middle of a playoff race, winning this game is absolutely essential from their perspective.

Dallas took a big hit last week when it lost a thrilling game to the New York Giants on home field. Kicker Dan Bailey missed a potential game-tying field goal as time expired and the Giants pulled even in the NFC East race. The Cowboys would technically miss the playoffs, however, as the G-Men hold the tiebreaker.

The season began with great promise for the Bucs, as they started 4-2 with impressive wins over the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Injuries and all-around bad play has caught up with Tampa, though, as they have lost seven consecutive games. With the defense struggling to stop anyone, the Bucs could be in for a long night.

While you can't simply write off the Bucs at home, they have been getting trounced as of late, including a blowout loss against the mediocre Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Dallas wouldn't be eliminated with a loss, but it is quite clear that this is a must-win affair for the Cowboys.

Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

When: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 8:20 p.m. EDT

Watch: NFL Network

Spread: Dallas (-7)

If not for the fact that the Buccaneers are at home, I think the line would be more lopsided in Dallas' favor. The fact of the matter is that the Cowboys need to have this game, and the Bucs are perhaps playing worse football than any team in the league.

With that in mind, seven points shouldn't be much for the Cowboys to overcome. Tampa's defense is an absolute mess, and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo should have a full allotment of weapons with Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson and Jason Witten. All that points to an easy win for Dallas.

Over/Under: 47.5

At the rate the Buccaneers have been giving up points lately, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Cowboys pass the 47.5-point threshold all by themselves. While that probably won't happen, the point is that Dallas will have absolutely no issue lighting up the scoreboard.

On top of that, Dallas' defense showed some vulnerability last week, so the Bucs, who have plenty of offensive talent, should score a bit as well. Due mostly to the matchup of Dallas' dangerous offense against Tampa's inept defense, I think this game will easily beat the over.

Cowboys Key Injuries

Questionable: WR Andre Holmes (hamstring), WR Laurent Robinson (shoulder), DL Josh Brent (knee), LB DeMarcus Ware (neck), DB Danny McCray (ankle), DB Mike Jenkins (shoulder)

Probable: TE Martellus Bennett (ribs), LB Sean Lee (wrist)

Buccaneers Key Injuries

Questionable: WR Arrelious Benn (concussion), WR Sammie Stroughter (knee), DL Michael Bennett (toe), DL Brian Price (ankle), DL Albert Haynesworth (knee)

Probable: QB Josh Freeman (shoulder), LB Adam Hayward (foot), DB Aqib Talib (hamstring), DB Larry Asante (hamstring)

Big Fantasy Plays

QB Tony Romo (DAL): The Buccaneers rank 27th in the league against the pass this season and passing the ball is Dallas' secondary, so there should be an aerial show on Saturday night. Romo is on pace for well over 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in what has been his best season to date. He'll build upon that against the Bucs.

WR Miles Austin (DAL): Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin has missed several games due to a hamstring injury this season, but he is back when it counts and looks to be in fine form. Austin played well last week against the Giants, as he caught four passes for 63 yards and a score. With so many other weapons to take the pressure off of him, Austin should be able to exploit Tampa's sorry secondary.

Keys to Cowboys Win

For the Cowboys, this game will likely come down to the play of quarterback Tony Romo. The Buccaneers have been absolutely awful on defense this season, so there is no reason why Romo shouldn't have a big game, especially with all of the excellent receivers he has to throw to.

Romo will be without the benefit of running back DeMarco Murray, as he suffered a season-ending ankle injury, but backup Felix Jones looked very good in relief last week. Provided Jones can at least provide the threat of a running game, Romo should have a field day en route to a Dallas victory.

Keys to Buccaneers Win

The Buccaneers really need to clean things up defensively, but that seems unlikely at this point. The best alternative would be a great running game on offense. Running back LeGarrette Blount has been hampered by injuries this season, but when he plays, the burly back has been pretty effective.

The Cowboys rank eighth in the league against the run, but establishing the run and possessing the ball is Tampa Bay's best chance. I honestly don't see the Bucs stopping or even slowing down the Cowboys' well-oiled passing attack, but if they can keep Romo off the field, then they might have a chance.

Prediction

Cowboys 35, Buccaneers 21