Buccaneers favored by more than a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys in Week 1

The NFL regular season officially gets underway tonight as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys for a primetime launch feature, on Thursday Night Football.

Fan involvement in sports has risen dramatically over the past two decades with fantasy football climbing to new heights seemingly every season, the continued influence of social media (for better or worse), and an increase even in sports betting.

In tonight’s opening act, the Bucs are favored by more than a touchdown and Ryan Succop extra point as they look to start the year with a win over ‘America’s Team’.

The staff here at Bucs Nation has made their picks for the game, and every member has the team covering the spread for Week 1. Use that information, as you choose.

Of course, sports betting itself has expanded over the years, and prop bets are all the rage these days. So too, are over/under bets where the wager line is set at a statistical level and the bettor chooses whether or not the player associated will exceed, or fall short, of the mark.

For example, according to sportsbettingdime.com Tom Brady’s over/under for touchdown passes against the Dallas Cowboys is set at 2.5. If you think he’ll throw more, which this writer thinks he will - I’m thinking four - then you take the over. If you think he’ll throw for two or fewer touchdown passes tonight, you take the under.

So simple, it’s almost strange how fun it can be when done responsibly.

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Other over/under lines for this week’s match-up include:

Mike Evans Touchdown Catches: o/u .5

Ronald Jones II Rushing Yards: 54.5

Dak Prescott Passing Touchdowns: 2

Amari Cooper Touchdown Catches: .5

Ezekiel Elliott Rushing Yards: 76.5

Buccaneers Turnovers: 1

Cowboys Turnovers: 1.5

There’s a lot of action happening on the field, in the stadium as fans make their return to live sports viewing, and in digital platforms like fantasy football and sports betting.

All of them can increase the joy of sports. Whether you choose to participate or not, football is fully back, starting tonight!