Cowboys vs Buccaneers Prediction 10/8/26 NFL Picks Today

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
October 8, 2026 8:15 pm EDT
The Line: Dallas Cowboys -8.5; Over/Under: 47.5
(Get latest betting odds)

In this article we will formulate a Cowboys vs Buccaneers prediction for this NFL game on Thursday, October 8th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 5 matchup.

Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview

The Dallas Cowboys are 2-2 this season after they defeated the Texans by a score of 34-30 last week. Dallas trailed 16-6 at halftime and 30-27 in the fourth, but they scored a touchdown with 40 seconds left to escape with the win. The Cowboys out gained Houston by a total of 399-397, went 5-14 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at zero in the game. Dak Prescott threw for 335 yards and one touchdown, while CeeDee Lamb had 17 catches for 189 yards and one score. Javonte Williams rushed 19 times for 62 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

Prior to that game, Dallas lost to the Ravens by a score of 34-31, but did beat the Commanders by a score of 37-20 before that. The Cowboys have scored 30.5 points per game with 258.0 passing yards and 89.5 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 28.0 points against per game this season. Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,065 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception this season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-4 this year after they lost to the Packers by a score of 17-14 last week. Tampa Bay trailed 10-7 at halftime and 17-14 in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t find anymore offense for the loss. The Buccaneers were out gained by a total of 283-275, went 5-12 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at two in the game. Jalon Daniels threw for 148 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, while Cade Otton caught four passes for 37 yards. Bucky Irving rushed 16 times for 61 yards in the loss.

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay lost to the Vikings by a score of 23-16 and the Browns by a score of 23-19. The Buccaneers have scored 19.0 points per game with 172.3 passing yards and 106.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 24.0 points against per game this season. Jalon Daniels will be starting at QB for the injured Baker Mayfield once again, while Bucky Irving has led the ground game with 56 carries for 241 yards and one score this year.

Why the Dallas Cowboys will win

The Cowboys have won each of their last eight Thursday games as favorites.
The Buccaneers have lost eight of their last nine games.
The Buccaneers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 13 games.
The Cowboys have covered the spread in each of their last eight October games as home favorites.
The Cowboys have scored the first touchdown in six of their last seven games as favorites.
The Buccaneers have lost the first half in each of their last six games as underdogs.
The Cowboys have won the first quarter in four of their last five home games in October.

Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win

The underdogs have won five of the Cowboys’ last six games at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys have lost five of their last six games as favorites following a win.
The Cowboys have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 games without DaRon Bland.
The underdogs have covered the spread in five of the Cowboys’ last six games at AT&T Stadium.
The Buccaneers have scored the first touchdown in six of their last seven Week 5 games.
The Buccaneers have won the first half in each of their last four October games against NFC East opponents.
The Buccaneers have won the first quarter in each of their last four Week 5 games as road underdogs.

Total Points Facts

Each of the Cowboys’ last eight games as favorites following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
Each of the last seven Thursday games at AT&T Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
Each of the Buccaneers’ last four games without Cade Otton have gone OVER the total points line.

Dallas Cowboys Player Prop Facts

Jake Ferguson has recorded 32+ receiving yards in 10 of his last 11 appearances with the Cowboys as favorites following a win.
Dak Prescott has recorded 279+ passing yards in each of the Cowboys’ last four games as heavy favorites (>-7.0 points).
Dak Prescott has recorded 10+ rushing yards in each of the Cowboys’ last five home games as heavy favorites (>-7.0 points).
Dak Prescott has recorded 24+ completions in each of the Cowboys’ last six games as favorites against NFC South opponents.
Javonte Williams has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Cowboys’ last four Thursday games.
KaVontae Turpin has recorded 27+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Cowboys’ last five Thursday games.
Heading into Week 5, Dak Prescott has recorded the equal-most passing touchdowns in a single game this season (4 vs Commanders, Week 2).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Prop Facts

Bucky Irving has scored a touchdown in each of the Buccaneers’ last five games against NFC East opponents.
Chris Godwin has recorded 31+ receiving yards in 26 of his last 27 October appearances.
Kenneth Gainwell has recorded 13+ rushing yards in nine of his 10 previous October road appearances.
Chris Godwin has recorded 31+ rushing and receiving yards in 26 of his last 27 October appearances.
Heading into Week 5, Kevin Knowles II has played in the most consecutive losses in the league (10).

Matchup/League Facts

Heading into Week 5, the Cowboys rank 32nd in the NFL in interceptions (0) this season.
Heading into Week 5, the Cowboys rank 32nd in the NFL in total punt yards (360) this season.
Buccaneers – two different rookies have recorded at least one touchdown this season – most in the NFL, heading into Week 5.
Heading into Week 5, the Buccaneers have recorded the equal-most losses in games when recording more total yards than their opponent this season (2).