Buccaneers vs. Cowboys 2016 picks and predictions: Some experts wary of Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys have already clinched a spot in the postseason, the first team to do so. They have lost just two games in the regular season, falling in both games to the New York Giants, a team they still lead in the NFC East. But there was some “the sky is falling” talk leading up to their Sunday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sunday’s game will be broadcast by NBC and will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET. A live stream will be available online via NBC Sports right here.

The Cowboys won 11 consecutive games with rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott leading the way. Yes, a pair of losses to the Giants is concerning overall, but one single play going differently for them, and they’d be massively favored over the Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay is riding a hot streak, at the very least, so the Bucs have that going for them. They have won their last five games, including wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.

So it’s not a squash match by any means, but it seems like the reaction to the Cowboys’ loss may be a little extreme. Prescott struggled against the Giants, throwing a pair of interceptions against one touchdown, but by and large he’s been efficient and effective this season.

And yet, somehow Tony Romo is looming behind him. Prescott should be the unquestioned starter after leading the Cowboys to their impressive record and the playoffs, but team owner Jerry Jones has said Romo still has a part to play this season. Is there a chance that Prescott loses the starting role based on late-season struggles?

Apparently, the loss to the Giants has a few experts shy about picking the Cowboys. Over at CBS Sports, their eight experts are split, with four picking the Buccaneers and four picking Dallas. However, only analyst at ESPN is going with the Buccaneers.

Here at SB Nation, it’s not exactly split:

Of the eight experts picking for SB Nation, only one of them think the Buccaneers will win. The other seven, plus the OddsShark computer, are going with the Cowboys. Sunday’s game will be broadcast on NBC with a live stream, again, available via NBC Sports at 8:30 p.m. ET.