NFL Thursday Night: Not So Fast, Cowboys!

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a poor start. There is no doubt about that glaring fact.

Having quarterback Baker Mayfield out indefinitely does little to instill confidence among the Bucs faithful, or with oddsmakers. Tampa Bay is 0-4, and on the surface, there is not much to like about a team that has yet to find the win column.

There is, however, a winning culture in Tampa Bay that has existed for some time across the city’s major sports. The Rays are riding a wave of success on their way to the ALCS, while the Lightning have established themselves as perennial Stanley Cup contenders.

Could some of that winning mentality find its way to the football field?

The Bucs may not be a playoff team, but this is not a roster devoid of talent. New quarterback Jalon Daniels has an opportunity to inject some life into an otherwise dismal season, and Thursday night presents a much more favorable matchup than the 0-4 record suggests.

The Cowboys are hardly a dominant football team themselves. Asking Dallas to lay 8.5 points against a Tampa Bay team that has shown flashes on both sides of the ball feels like an opportunity for poolies in Week 5.

Here are three reasons to take the points with the 0-4 Bucs on Thursday night.

1. Jalon Daniels is a winner

Daniels knows what it takes to win.

The former Kansas quarterback built a reputation as a playmaker and a competitor during his college career. He is stepping into a difficult situation, but sometimes a new quarterback can provide exactly the spark a struggling team needs.

Expect Tampa Bay to simplify the game plan, lean on its running game and defense, and give Daniels an opportunity to make plays. He does not need to be spectacular. He simply needs to keep the Bucs within striking distance.

2. The Bucs defense really isn't that bad

Tampa Bay's 0-4 record can make it easy to overlook the defense. The Bucs have been competitive in stretches and have enough talent defensively to make life difficult for a Dallas offense that has not exactly been putting the league on notice. If Tampa can create a few negative plays and force Dallas into third and long situations, this game could stay much closer than the point spread suggests. The Bucs secondary could also give Dak Prescott problems. Rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish already has an interception this season and has allowed opposing quarterbacks just a 70.6 passer rating when targeting him, while Zyon McCollum has surrendered a sub 80.0 rating when targeted.

3. Handing Dallas 8.5 points is absurd

This is the biggest reason to take Tampa Bay. Dallas is 2-2, but the Cowboys have hardly looked like an 8.5 point favorite waiting to happen. They have surrendered close to 30 points in all but one game this season, and their own inconsistencies make laying nearly nine points a dangerous proposition. Tampa Bay does not need to win this game. They simply need to keep it within a touchdown and a field goal.

The Cover Pick

Tampa Bay +8.5

The Bucs may be 0-4, but that does not mean they are an 8.5 point worse football team than Dallas.

Take the points and don't be surprised if Tampa Bay makes Thursday night uncomfortable for the Cowboys.