Tampa Bay
Buccaneers
Spread
+9.5
NFL Predictions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys Predictions
Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 8:15pm EST
@
Dallas
Cowboys
Spread
-9.5
50%
50%
Spread
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +9.5
Dallas Cowboys -9.5
Moneyline
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +400
Dallas Cowboys -535
Total
Over 49.5 (-110)
Under 49.5 (-110)
Professional Picks
18 listed
Professional Picks On This Game
Wes Salvato
Spread pick
Garrett Perry
Spread pick
Don Williams
Spread pick
Charles Avery
Spread pick
Charles Avery
Total pick
Elijah Murtah
Spread pick
Eli Rothstein
Spread pick
Eli Rothstein
Total pick
Primetime Ryan Johnson
Spread pick
Casper Kohke
Total pick
Brooke Smolka
Spread pick
Chris Cohen
Spread pick
Chris Cohen
Total pick
Scott Steele
Spread pick
Jason Manning
Spread pick
Jason Manning
Total pick
Bryan Pratt
Total pick
Robert Downes
Total pick
Buccaneers vs. Cowboys Prediction: Mayfield’s Absence Favors Dallas, but Pass at -470
Analysis updated October 8, 2026 at 7:39 AM CDT
The winless Buccaneers must visit Dallas without Baker Mayfield and three defensive starters. Dallas should win, but neither available Cowboys price offers clear value.
Mayfield’s absence strengthens Dallas’ advantage
Tampa Bay visits Dallas on Thursday night with Baker Mayfield ruled out because of a right-thumb injury. NFL.com lists the Buccaneers at 0-4 and the Cowboys at 2-2, while SportsPicksForum prices Dallas as an 8.5-point favorite and -470 on the moneyline.
CBS Sports reports that Tampa Bay gained 275 yards and Jalon Daniels threw two interceptions in last week’s loss to Green Bay, his first start. Dallas rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat Houston 34-30. Those results and Mayfield’s absence make the Cowboys the likelier winner.
Injuries make the spread harder to trust
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ official injury report also rules out safety Antoine Winfield Jr., cornerback Benjamin Morrison and linebacker SirVocea Dennis. Those absences leave Tampa Bay’s defense short-handed against a Dallas team coming off a 34-point game.
Dallas has its own missing players. Cornerback Cobie Durant, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and tackle Drew Shelton are out, and guard Tyler Smith is questionable despite practicing fully Wednesday. Those injuries create too much uncertainty to lay 8.5 points confidently.
The prices leave no clear wager
SportsPicksForum lists Tampa Bay at +360 on the moneyline and +8.5 against the spread. The total is 47.5, with the over at -115 and the under at -105.
Dallas should win, but a -470 moneyline requires too large a stake for the available evidence. The defensive absences make the spread unattractive, and there isn’t enough supported information about either offense to bet the total. The betting lean is Pass.
Pick
Dallas Cowboys
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Pass