The NFL started last night and I feel better already. I’ve gone to the grocery store bought the wings, a steak, beer and chips, so I’ll be able to feed, graze and drink properly. I’ve cleaned the BBQ and checked the propane, so I’m ready to cook my cow. The only thing left is to place my bets and make my predictions.

Just so we are clear, my predictions and takes are just that and nothing more. Vegas loves me, because I get about half my picks correct against the spread, so they’ll take the vig all day long. What I’m trying to tell you is don’t bet the farm, little Johnny’s college fund, the rent, milk money based on what I think is going to happen during Sunday’s game. What you lose or win is on you, so bet responsibly. Now that I have made my disclaimer and my conscious is clear let’s talk about what I think is going to happen during Cowboys vs Bucs, week 1 at Raymond James Stadium.

First off this isn’t your old man’s Tampa Bay Bucs defense. It’s a new era and veteran players like DE Kevin Carter, OLB Cato June, OLB Derrick Brooks and CB Phillip Buchanon are GONE. It needed to be done, because the Bucs needed to get younger and more athletic. But with youth comes inexperience and the Cowboys are going to exploit this factor all day long, especially in the secondary. First off Tanard Jackson won’t be around due to his 4-game suspension, so weakside linebacker Jermaine Phillips is now the starting safety. It’s one thing for a corner to transition to safety, quite another for a linebacker to do it. Another key call out in the secondary is Sabby Piscitelli. Sabby is #21 and if you haven’t learned his number yet, you will by end of day Sunday, because he’ll be the guy chasing Witten, Williams and Miles from behind when he gets beat deep. Sabby can lay a big hit, but he’s no Lynch and never will be. Romo and Cowboys will go deep, middle or short as they please and they will score many times on Sunday.

The Dallas defense is overrated, but they will look good against the Bucs. The Bucs may move the ball and have a decent running game, but drives will stall and die when Leftwich makes poor decisions at crucial moments in the game. There will be plenty of 3rd and longs and sack specialist DeMarcus Ware will get his chances on the not so mobile Leftwich.

The line opened with the Bucs +3 and since then it has moved to Bucs +6. I’m taking the Cowboys -6, because there is no way in hell the Bucs will keep it close. The Cowboys will jump out to a quick commanding lead. The Bucs will be forced to abandon the running game, which will lead to Ware teeing off on Leftwich all game.

The over under is at 39. I’m taking the under, because I don’t think the Bucs can score enough to cover the over.

Final Score: Cowboys 28 and Bucs 10.

Good luck with your bets and BBQ. Also, check out 5 things you won’t see during the game.