Cowboys-Bucs Popular First-Game Choice For NFL Network Analysts
May 11th, 2021
Several NFL Network talking heads would grab Jerry Jones’ Cowboys for the Bucs’ opponent on opening night.
So now we know when and where the Bucs will open the 2021 season.
The big question is, who will the opponent be?
Over at NFL.com, several talking heads on NFL Network were asked who the Bucs should open the season against. Several suggested the Cowboys.
Marc Ross: This is a no-brainer. It has to be the Dallas Cowboys. Despite their suspect on-field results over the past several years, they are still America’s Team — they generate the biggest TV audiences and are the world’s most valuable sports franchise. The much-anticipated return of Dak Prescott from injury facing off against the G.O.A.T. Tom Brady would make this matchup must-see TV and a ratings bonanza for the NFL.
Nate Burleson: Just picture it: seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady hosting America’s Team. Getting back to the Super Bowl is always on Jerry Jones’ mind, and if he wants his beloved Cowboys to get there in 2021, he’ll have to go through Tampa. Why not slay the dragon right out of the gate? Cowboys-Bucs, be there.
Maurice Jones-Drew: There are a few good options in the Bucs’ home-game lineup, but there’s one GREAT option: the Cowboys. From Dak Prescott’s return from his brutal season-ending leg injury, to a revitalized Dallas defense under new coordinator Dan Quinn, the Cowboys present an enticing first opponent for the defending Super Bowl champs.
Burleson hit the nail on the head in two words: Jerry Jones.
Before the cannons fired after the Bucs beat the Chiefs to salute the new Super Bowl champions, Jones likely already was texting NFL strongman Roger Goodell to have his Cowboys play open the 2021 season in Tampa on Thursday Night Football with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth behind the mic.
Nobody in the NFL loves and craves splash like Jones. And the chance to highlight his team playing the champs to kick off the season in one of the most-watched games of the year had to be driving Jones nutty.
Make no mistake: Jones has clout in the league.
Joe personally hates the Cowboys and would prefer a much better game like the Bucs hosting the Bills or even the Bears.
Knowing how Jones likes TV cameras like a moth enjoys shining light bulbs, and the power Jones throws around behind the scenes in league matters, the Cowboys and their guaranteed massive TV audience likely will be too much for NBC and the NFL to pass on to play the Bucs on opening night.
May 11th, 2021 at 12:09 am
Now starring the creeper…Jerry Jones.
May 11th, 2021 at 12:21 am
Cowboys would actually get so much attention it would take some of the spotlight away from the Bucs, leading our Bucs to feel disrespected, resulting in a glorious beatdown. Mike McCarthy and Dan Quinn do not scare me.
Bring on the Sowboys.
PS – I’m almost afraid to ask – who is that being…..um…..”hugged” by Phyllis Diller — I mean Jerry Jones?
May 11th, 2021 at 12:33 am
Are the cowboys still all the rage? They seem to be really the team of the past. To me they lost their luster years ago! IMHO.
May 11th, 2021 at 12:50 am
SYKE! Bucs had 35.5 ppg in the regular season and 30 ppg in the post season. I don’t know what Brady will do year two with the returning roster. And a healthy OJ and Cappa would be very nice returns. I seriously don’t know if anyone will be able to beat this offense.
May 11th, 2021 at 1:02 am
You are right except for two major factors:
1. No team draws eyeballs like the Cowboys. Their fanbase is massive.
2. The Cowboys are the most valuable sports team in the world. Worth damn near $6 billion.
May 11th, 2021 at 1:21 am
Jerry Jones 60yr old son is a jobber lol
May 11th, 2021 at 2:41 am
Lol.
May 11th, 2021 at 3:44 am
I’d prefer Bills or Saints. Cowboys makes sense and it wouldn’t be awful, Dan’s comeback.
May 11th, 2021 at 4:33 am
You think the cowboys want to get embarrassed on national TV right off the gate?? A loss to the bucs to open the season would damage their moral, they know they can’t compete with the Champs. I wouldn’t ask for it if I was the cowboys.
May 11th, 2021 at 5:44 am
Crushing the cowboys would be sweet. Buffalo is the best team on the sked. Tough start to the 28-0 quest with Bills first.
May 11th, 2021 at 6:36 am
I am all for it. Almost prefer it over bills so we can get our legs wet against a “good” team and then blast the bills when we are full go
Let dak test out his ankle against our smothering front seven.
May 11th, 2021 at 6:50 am
Yeah none of their fan base wants to play the Bucs and get smashed on opening night in front of the world. Not even Jerry Jones wants that. It’s just the media and see two hated teams, at least we are being hated because of winning for a change.
But I do have to give credit where it’s due, no one markets losing better than Jerry.
May 11th, 2021 at 7:19 am
Jerry Jones just increased his cringe factor with that photo.
May 11th, 2021 at 7:50 am
Dak makes $40 mil a year. His team can’t afford decent players. Tom makes $25 mil a year. HIS team HAS decent players. Bev like Tom
May 11th, 2021 at 7:59 am
I want Bills. Two traditionally crappy teams that rose to the tops last year. People love those teams. Plus the Bills scare me the most so I want them done and out of the way.
May 11th, 2021 at 8:11 am
From a competitive standpoint, I’d rather see us play the Bills in week 1. It is tempting to bring the Cowboys in. They’ll be playing at least 5 new starters, and playing in a first year scheme. That defense will be ripe for the taking week 1.
May 11th, 2021 at 8:36 am
You and me both, Joe. The Cowboys have some of the fakest fans in all of sports.
May 11th, 2021 at 8:58 am
Why not slay the dragon right out of the gate? How about getting burned by the GOAT right out of the gate.
May 11th, 2021 at 9:18 am
dallas or the saints…
i hate em both equally….maybe the saints a little more now that they have JW…
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 11th, 2021 at 9:50 am
Everything in the article is true, but there’s one thing left out: The Cowboys are garbage.
I would rather see the Bills.
May 11th, 2021 at 11:02 am
Is that Jerry with Stormy lol. I know he’s a short guy lol
May 11th, 2021 at 11:43 am
Cowgirls don’t want to play the bucs the first game. They don’t want to lose Dak and Zek for the rest of the year.
May 11th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Allbuccedup Says:
May 11th, 2021 at 11:43 am
Cowgirls don’t want to play the bucs the first game. They don’t want to lose Dak and Zek for the rest of the year.
LOL!!!!
I AGREE!!!!
let the saints lose JW and AK for the season!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 11th, 2021 at 1:43 pm
“Bucs vs Boys
Might break all past 1st game media viewing records
2X
This is why Football is king”
Kobe Faker
May 11th, 2021 at 2:15 pm
Not a bad idea but Bills vs. Bucs is a better game on paper.
May 11th, 2021 at 2:21 pm
Maybe the NFL will screw over the Bucs like they did in 2003 and have us open on the road… say, in New England.