
Expert analysis and model projections for the Thursday Night Football matchup between Dallas and Tampa Bay.
SportsLine experts and a simulation model provide betting picks for the Week 5 NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including spread, total points, and player props, while promoting a BetMGM bonus code.
AI-generated summary
The Dallas Cowboys are hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a Thursday Night Football game in Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season.
The latest BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS gives new users $150 in bonus bets if their first bet wins or up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their qualifying wager loses. The offer depends on location. The Week 5 NFL schedule kicks off with one of the most popular teams in all of sports: the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. SportsLine expert Thomas Casale is backing the Cowboys to cover as 8.5-point favorites. Our model including Over 47.5 total points for Cowboys vs. Buccaneers as part of its Buccaneers vs. Cowboys best bets at BetMGM Sportsbook. Claim the latest BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS, get up to $1,500 in bonus bets, and bet on today's top games:
For Thursday Night Football player prop betting, expert Prop Bet Guy Doug has locked in his top pick for Dallas vs. Tampa Bay NFL betting at BetMGM. Claim the latest BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS and bet on today's top games:
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on betting sites on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model entered Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season on a 55-44 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its picks at NFL betting sites could have seen strong returns.
Cowboys vs. Buccaneers best bets at BetMGM Sportsbook
Cowboys (-8.5)
Over 47.5 total points
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers, Over 3.5 total receptions
Combining the three picks into a Thursday Night Football same-game parlay betting wager at BetMGM Sportsbook, one of our best sports betting apps, would result in a payout of +550 (risk $100 to profit $550, odds subject to change). Click here to take advantage of the latest BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS:
Cowboys (-8.5)
"The Bucs are the type of team Dallas typically rolls at home," SportsLine expert Thomas Casale said. "The Cowboys have played well since Week 1, and while the defense is still a concern, the Bucs aren't built to exploit it right now. Undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels struggled in his NFL debut against the Packers as expected, and the Bucs were held to 4.5 yards per play. It's not Daniels' fault, he has no business starting in the NFL right now. If the Cowboys put up 27 on Thursday, they should cover this number comfortably at home." Back the Cowboys by claiming the latest BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS here:
Over 47.5 total points
The Over went 12-4-1 in Cowboys games last season, and it is off to a 4-0 start this season with Dallas once again playing in high-scoring games weekly. Dallas ranks second in scoring offense (30.5 points per game) and 28th in scoring defense (28 ppg allowed) for a 58.5 total points average. The Cowboys are coming off a 34-30 win over the Texans, and Dallas has both scored and allowed at least 30 points in back-to-back games. Tampa Bay remains without Baker Mayfield, but the Bucs still had 275 yards of total offense last week, which isn't far from their season average of 278.3 yards per game. The Over hits in 70% of simulations. Back the Over by claiming the latest BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS here:
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers, Over 3.5 total receptions
"Chris Godwin played a big part in rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels' debut," SportsLine expert Prop Bet Guy Doug said. "Godwin reeled in six catches on seven targets (26% target rate), on a very QB-friendly 2.3 average depth of target. He lined up in the slot for 70% of his routes, saw two designed screens, and had a 24% first-read rate (all per Fantasy Points Data). Against the Cowboys, the Bucs will likely be in position where they'll be throwing. Godwin will avoid the Joey Porter Jr. matchup lining up inside, and the Cowboys have allowed the seventh most catches out of the slot as is. He might not break 25 yards, but I'm expecting another high-volume game for the veteran." Back Godwin by claiming the latest BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS here:
Want more Cowboys vs. Buccaneers picks for Thursday Night Football?
You've seen some of the model's and SportsLine team of experts' Thursday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for all games, including the NFL, MLB, college football, UFC, and more, all from the SportsLine Projection Model, which has simulated every game 10,000 times.
Responsible Gaming
Bettors should always practice responsible gaming when placing wagers, and BetMGM Sportsbook offers ways to help with this, such as a live chat feature, gaming limits and timeout options. The sportsbook also shares contact information for helplines such as 1-800-MY-RESET, which bettors can call or text 24/7.

Week 6 of the college football season features a top-10 clash between No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Alabama. SportsLine's predictive model offers betting insights for key games, including Arkansas vs. Tennessee and Nebraska vs. Indiana.

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries both secured 2-0 leads in their respective WNBA semifinal series on Wednesday. The Dream defeated the Liberty 101-98 in overtime, while the Valkyries overcame the Aces 83-81.

Dallas Cowboys host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 Thursday Night Football. Cowboys boast a historically efficient offense against a struggling 0-4 Buccaneers team starting rookie Jalon Daniels.

Breanna Stewart accused WNBA officials of incorrectly informing the New York Liberty they had no timeout remaining during overtime in Game 2 against the Atlanta Dream, a claim denied by crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens in the pool report. Despite the controversy, the Liberty fell to a 2-0 series deficit, with no team in WNBA history having ever come back from such a position. The Liberty had a reset timeout available with 4.3 seconds left in overtime but did not use it after being told they had none, ultimately failing to score on the final play. Stewart expressed frustration over the lack of clarity, while head coach Chris DeMarco acknowledged the confusion but accepted the outcome. The Liberty had previously used both regular timeouts in overtime, and rulebook confirmation shows they were entitled to a reset in the final two minutes of overtime. Allisha Gray missed the game due to injury, and Rhyne Howard struggled shooting. Even if the Liberty had used the reset timeout successfully, they would have only forced a second overtime.

The Tampa Bay Rays swept the New York Yankees to advance to the ALCS, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers secured NLCS spots by defeating the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres respectively. The Cleveland Guardians kept their ALDS hopes alive with a win over the Chicago White Sox, forcing a Game 4. Five teams remain in the 2026 MLB playoffs after the Wild Card Series eliminated the Astros, Red Sox, Cubs and Phillies.

The New York Yankees were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, extending their World Series drought to 17 years. As Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman face contract decisions, Boone's job security is questioned due to postseason struggles against stronger teams, while Cashman's expiring contract raises speculation about his future, though both are expected to remain due to organizational loyalty.