(Above Image Source: Action Network)

When: Saturday, Sept. 9th, 8:20 PM EST

Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)

How to Watch: NBC (check your local listings)

Short Overview

A new season of the NFL kicks off Thursday night when the Dallas Cowboys face the reigning champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium where the seats will be filled with fans once again.

Dak Prescott returns as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys after suffering a season-ending ankle injury last year. This will officially be his first game back. He didn’t play in the preseason due to a shoulder strain he suffered during training camp.

“America’s Team” ended the season with a 6-10 record which also showed the importance of having Prescott as the team quarterback. During the first four weeks of last season, the Cowboys were ranked 3rd in scoring (31.5 points per game). Once the injury happened, it was all downhill from there. Now the Cowboys plan to come back with a new mindset and the hope to be an even better team this season.

The Bucs do not need too many expectations since they have all the momentum in the world after becoming champions last year. Tom Brady, who turned 44 turning training camp, played like his usual, legendary self throughout last season and led his new team to their second-ever Super Bowl in franchise history.

COVID-19 is the only minor setback Tampa Bay has for this game as Zack Martin will be on the sidelines. Other than that, expect their best players on both offense and defense.

My Prediction

The odds are completely against Dallas. Brady is back as the quarterback, and he will continue to prove that age isn’t a factor in the game. Prescott wants to prove that he is right about being ready and willing for this game. It has been reported that he is 100 percent ready to start this game, but that is something that should not be easily believed.

Now both teams will have no shortage of their best players on the field if anything. However, the Cowboys should look out for the Buccaneers’ defense in order to survive this game. Plus, everyone will watch and see how much rust Prescott shakes off after months of recovering his shoulder.

When you two and two together, it equals a hard-fought victory for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sorry Dallas.