Dak Prescott knows what it’s like to be a rookie quarterback thrown into the fire earlier than expected. Can Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the undrafted backup, outscore one of the best offenses in the NFL?

We’ll find out on Thursday Night Football, as the Dallas Cowboys host the Bucs for a Week 5 clash in which both teams badly need a win. Our experts Mauricio Rodriguez (Cowboys) and Evan Winter (Bucs) give us their score predictions ahead of kickoff.

Cowboys defense lands its ‘get right’ game

Evan Winter: This matchup completely flies in the face of everything the Buccaneers want to do on both sides of the ball.

For starters, it’s highly doubtful the team generates any pressure due to the level of the Cowboys’ playmakers on offense. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and even Jake Ferguson and Javonte Williams should be able to make big plays against a defense that looks much better on paper/in the stat columns than it actually looks on the field.

When it comes to the Buccaneers offense – this is a total “get right” game for Christian Parker. Zac Robinson has no idea what the strength of his offense is (even if the running game is the clear strength) based on how he calls games. Whether it’s an experienced/accomplished QB in Baker Mayfield or a true unknown in rookie UDFA Jalon Daniels.

All of that, combined with a short week on the road, makes me think the Cowboys win this game handedly, despite their own struggles throughout the first four games of the year.

The Pick: Cowboys 30, Buccaneers 17

Clean pockets ahead for Dak Prescott

Mauricio Rodriguez: The Cowboys defense keeps any and all matchups from being called “easy.” It’s never easy in the NFL and much less so with the 32nd ranked defense in EPA/play.

With that being said, I feel pretty confident on Dak Prescott and Co. outscoring an offense led by undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. That’s not a knock on Daniels, but the Cowboys offense leads the NFL in points despite being dead last in number of drives.

And here’s the thing: The Bucs rank dead last in the league in pressure rate despite blitzing at the fourth-highest rate. Tampa Bay has a good rushing defense but I’m betting they won’t slow down a passing attack that just saw CeeDee Lamb pick up 189 yards in 17 catches against the Houston Texans defense.

I expect clean pockets for Dak. And against an inconsistent offense, that should mean it’s a wrap.

The Pick: Cowboys 35, Buccaneers 24