Dallas owner Jerry Jones is known for hyperbole, but there might be some truth to what he’s saying about the Cowboys’ Week 1 match-up at Tampa Bay against the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs.

“We’re going to have a lot of prayer, so we could get the courage to show up,” Jones said, via NFL Media. “Let me tell you this: world-champion Tom Brady, Tampa, great atmosphere — what a better opportunity to step up there and be David against Goliath.”

Tampa Bay is opening as a 6.5-point favorite on MyBookie.ag.

While the Bucs went 11-5 and won Super Bowl LV, the Cowboys are coming off an injury-riddled season in 2020 in which the team went 6-10 in the first year under new head coach Mike McCarthy. Dallas is dealing with several starters sidelined in training camp with injuries, including quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and wide receiver Amari Cooper among others.

Dallas QB Dak Prescott – Photo by: USA Today

Prescott, who recovered from a broken ankle in Week 5 last year after going 2-3 as a starter, is dealing with soreness in his throwing shoulder in camp and has been out of action for several days.

“I’m excited for the challenge for my defense and just the whole team,” Prescott told NFL Network about taking on Tampa Bay. “I’m excited for these guys to go out there and improve off of last year. And that’s what training camp is about. We’re trying to iron-sharpen-iron right now. We’re trying to make them better, they’re making us better. But it’s going to be important for us to go out there and take care of the ball, put (the Bucs) in tough situations and put the pressure on those guys.”

There has been no timetable set for Prescott’s return. He’s been in attendance at practice, but has not participated in team drills since the first two days of camp. Prescott, who was the Cowboys’ franchise player last year, signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March.