Dec 17, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) takes the snap during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Tonni Shook, Senior Writer: Every single one of us blew it with our predictions last weekend.  The Dallas Cowboys never got off the bus, apparently.  This weekend, the Cowboys play at home for the first time this season.  The fans are going to be like savage beasts if this Cowboy team doesn’t come out firing.  Tampa Bay comes to Dallas at 1-1, ready to avenge last year’s beating.  The Cowboys better show up is all I have to say about that.  My prediction:  Dallas Cowboys 35 – Tampa Bay Bucs 21

Todd Toombs, Senior Writer: On paper, this game should easily be one of the 10 wins the Cowboys need this year.  But, after last week’s complete meltdown, I honestly have no idea what kind of team is going to show up for the Cowboys on Sunday.  The Buccaneers have shown they can score points – even if their defense let the Giants off the mat last week giving up over 500 yards passing to Eli Manning – a lot of that in the 4th quarter.  I would normally say that Tampa Bay will struggle to run the ball against the Cowboys and be forced to put the game in the hands of Josh Freeman, who would be harassed all game by our pass rush.  But, that was before Marshawn Lynch gashed us for 122 yards and Russell Wilson barely got his uniform dirty last week.  And, also before we had 2 of our starting defensive ends injured and at least one of our starting safeties likely to miss this game.  I would normally say that Romo would be able to abuse the Tampa Bay secondary like Manning did.  But, that was before all the drops and the anemic effort in Seattle.  Anyone seen Dez?  Is he still on the team?

It’s our home opener, so we have that going for us.  But, that does not increase my confidence about this game.  The Cowboys have not necessarily done a good job of defending their home turf since “Jerry World” opened.  So, this one is a coin flip in my opinion.  I hope I’m wrong and the Cowboys come out with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder needing to prove to the world that last week was an aberration.  But, wait.  “The Calm One” is our coach so little chance of that.  Cowboys squeak out a win here although I’m not exactly sure how – Cowboys 19, Buccaneers 17.

Chris Dietz, Staff Writer: Both Teams come off disappointing performances last week. I predict Dallas will not be as sloppy with the football this week. TB scored most of their points off turnovers last week. The key to this game will be running the football and I think the Cowboys will return to their gameplan from week 1 and ride DeMarco Murray to victory. The Dallas defense must stop Doug Martin and not allow him to run wild like Marshawn Lynch did last week. If the defense can force TB to throw the ball I do not believe Josh Freeman can out play Tony Romo in the passing game, allowing the Cowboys to escape with a victory. It all comes down to whether or not Jason Garrett has the testicular fortitude to stay with the running game and not abandon it early on. TB @ Dal (-7.5) – TB 23 Dal 27

Steven Phillips, Senior Writer: Tony Romo has never lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a lackluster performance in Seattle he get’s a chance to see an opponent he hasn’t had a problem shredding throughout his career. To date he has thrown 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions in the three times he’s faced Tampa Bay. Look for the pattern to continue at home Sunday when the Bucs come to town. Tampa is coming off a late-game collapse where their secondary let Eli Manning pass for 510 yards and their defense gave up 25 points in the fourth quarter alone. Look for Romo to draw off the home crowd and pilot the Cowboys to a 2-1 record. Cowboys 27 Buccaneers 17

Artie Cappello, Senior Writer: As the week has gone on, talk about our Dallas Cowboys loss started to focus on the Cowboys defense being manhandled by Seattle and un-intimidating in general. I sadly agree with that assessment. Too bad, really, that players like Cowboys DL, Jason Hatcher, don’t think anything’s wrong. Regardless of all that, I still see a Cowboy’s win this week. (Before last weeks games, I had this game a Dallas blowout 40 – 10, not anymore) Dallas 21 -Tampa Bay 17

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December 17, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Steven Mullenax, Editor & Head Writer: It’s the classic Tale of Two Teams…both of which are the Dallas Cowboys. One team defeated the World Champion New York Giants. The other got blown out against a young up-and-coming Seattle Seahawks team whom Dallas should have beat. So the million dollar questions is: Who are the real Dallas Cowboys? Too bad there is only a two cent answer at this point: No one really knows. They appear to be a team who can beat the best of the best one night and lose to the worst of the worst the next. So, which of the two-faces will we see this Sunday? After a dismal performance in Seattle last week, expect the Cowboys to be rejuvenated to finally be playing at home. Don’t fall for the early hype…Tampa Bay has only won one game since October 16, 2011. And that was against the Carolina Panthers in Week One, whom just got decimated on Thursday Night Football by the Giants. Cowboys win big and fool us all into drinking the Kool-Aid once again, 35-10.

Alex Young, Staff Writer: The Cowboys will have the pressure on this week after a lackadaisical performance in Seattle. Tampa Bay is not a team to take lightly, they have added plenty of pieces in the off season. Vincent Jackson will be a handful for Carr and the other corners to cover and rookie running back Doug Martin out of Boise State will test the defenses speed as he is not as much of a bruiser as Marshawn Lynch was last week. Dallas should be able to pass on the Bucs seeing as Eli Manning amassed 510 yards through the air last week, a video game-esque total. The Cowboys have to make sure not to beat themselves. Tampa Bay forced Eli Into three first half interceptions last week and would have pulled out the win if not for late-game heroics by Manning.  The emotion of a home opener should bode well for Dallas and provide a chance to redeem themselves after last week. Dez Bryant has to be a force and get off of the press coverages better and Rob Ryan cannot be as hesitant to blitz as he was last week. The wide outs should have a solid day and DeMarco Murray will get his carries and chances to contribute as long as Dallas doesn’t get behind early. Another game Dallas should win, but that never means it is a guarantee. The Cowboys always make these games more stressful than they should be. Cowboys win, 31-27.

Jeff Magnia, Staff Writer: If you look at the data and analyze it, the Dallas Cowboys should easily defeat the Tampa Buccaneers.  Here is the thing, the Cowboys may win the war on yards but the bottom line is that the Buccaneers offense scores more often than the Cowboys.  Despite the fact they won by 6 points last week against the Carolina Panthers, they did lose to the Giants and scored 34 points. Defensively, the Buccaneers do a good job stopping the run so Dallas will have to air it out as the Bucs average more yards in the air than rushing.  There is a 3 point difference in the amount of points allowed, so this could be the makings of a good football game.  The one thing to consider is that the Cowboys beat the New York Giants and the Giants barely won it over the Buccaneers. I am going with my gut on the score and say the Cowboys will win but it will be a close game, Cowboys 21, Buccaneers 17.

Chance Streetman, Staff Writer: Last week’s game humbled the Cowboys team and fans. They still have a ways to go to be considered an elite team. The Cowboys will play their first home game this week, and the team should be rejuvenated. Tampa Bay’s defense had no answer for the Giants passing attack as Eli Manning orchestrated a crazy 500 yd game comeback performance. Anyone else wants to continue the Manning/Romo debate? I do think Romo has a good game against the same Tampa Bay defense. Cowboys win 30-20.

Jonathan Barger, Senior Writer: Both teams look to add another W after a very disappointing loss. Tony Romo will continue his streak of excellence against the Bucs and Dez Bryant will have that coming out party we have been waiting for. Cowboys earn a W in the season home-opener; 28-17.

Michael Huff, Staff Writer: Cowboys get back on track versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Tony Romo having a better day throwing to open receivers that actually catch the ball.  The offensive line is what it is, but Tony’s ability to move around allows him to have a 3 touchdown day, with no interceptions.  With the offense playing better, the defense is able to do their thing holding the Bucs to 2 touchdowns and a field goal.  Final score: Cowboys 24, Bucs 17.

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