NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys (12-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
Monday, January 16th, 8:25 PM ESPN
Dallas Cowboys fans went through a maddening end to the regular season losing to the Washington Commanders, while the Buccaneers were also defeated in week 18 by the Atlanta Falcons. Here we are with a rematch from Week One of the NFL season, which saw Tampa Bay defeat the Cowboys 19-3 to open the season. We all remember that inauspicious start to the season and saw it unfold again in Week 18 sadly. Let’s look at this game.
Dallas Offense vs Tampa Bay Defense
Better be back to basics for the Cowboys’ offense if they hope to beat the Buccaneers in this game. Key number one will be the status of Tyler Biadisz. Hopefully, his ankle sprain sufficiently heals in time for this game. The Cowboys revamped line was simply awful against Washington. There was no push in the limited amount of rush attempts (oh have I mentioned how vital establishing the run is in Cowboys wins before?), and facing the Buccaneers once once-vaunted run defense that isn’t as good as in the recent past establishing the run will be vital. Tampa Bay has fallen into the middle of the pack against the run. Tony Pollard will be needed to get to the outside and as frustrating as it is Ezekiel Elliott will need to at least try getting those hard inside runs. The interception King Dak Prescott (15) absolutely cannot have more than one in this game. I’m almost tempted to put Cooper Rush in the game plan, especially for the second quarter where Dak has had 9 of his interceptions happen. Maybe having some snaps where he sees things from the sideline would help. Sounds desperate I realize but I am tired of seeing so many interceptions in the same part of the game. As putrid as the offense looked against Washington it has to be that back-to-basics approach. I don’t want to see anything cute from Kellen Moore, run the damn ball, and use the most efficient passes in the playbook. No more wide-side passes that can be jumped on by defensive backs, the play before the pick-six by Washington should have been a score for Washington as well. Some passion would be nice as well from the offensive unit. I didn’t see any urgency or determination to change what was happening against the Commanders. The question is do the “Country Club” Cowboys appear again or the group that could put up points almost at will make a much-needed return against Tampa?
Buccaneers Offense vs Cowboys Defense
Yes, it is once again Thomas Edward Brady at the helm for Tampa Bay. Dear Dallas forget he is 7-0 against the Cowboys in his career. Remember outside of the Mike Evans falling on his back TD reception all they could manage in week one was four field goals. The lack of quarterback sacks down the stretch was disappointing for the Cowboys. Well even at 45 Brady is not easy to bring down because of that unreal release of his. So it is incumbent upon the Cowboys’ defense to do what is necessary to stop the Buccaneers from doing what they want. If you think our QB and receivers haven’t been in sync, look at Tampa Bay. All season long except for those games that Tampa eeked out late wins in there has been little to write home about for their passing game. There’s a reason this team was one game below having a winning record. The Buccaneers’ offense can and has been limited in both phases. Like I asked of Kellen Moore, there’s no need for Dan Quinn to get cute with his schemes. This game requires a focus on doing what is asked by each player, no one can worry about what anyone else does. Control what you do, and make it your mission to stay focused on your job. If they make a play come back the next play and beat your assignment. Now the defense did their job for the most part against Washington but in this game, since we are in the do-or-die part of the season, play like this is your last game ever, as it just might be. There was no drop off from the previous season in terms of creating a turnover, this group followed up a 34 turnover total with 33 this season. Playoff games come down to who makes the most mistakes, it’s vital that it’s Brady and company who makes the most mistakes.
Intangibles
Playoff games also get decided by special teams ask the Packers and others who fell victim to that phase costing them in the playoffs. There can’t be any bad snaps for Anger or a failed fair catch from Turpin. A lack of focus cannot happen. This is 60 minutes of football time. The Buccaneers as we have witnessed will want to hang around and have that comeback that Brady is a master of. Don’t let that happen yet again. I don’t want to see the same old approach by the coaching staff either. This is the time to be excited, to be focused, and determined. That starts with Mike McCarthy and his staff. No repeat of last year when the “fear” wasn’t handled leading up to the Niners game. Come out and play this game with passion and desire. Cowboys’ fans are simply exhausted from 27 years of regular season success and playoff failures. I really hope that everyone is quiet in dealing with the media. Let them all laugh that yet again the Cowboys’ are unable to win when it matters, y’all deserve the ridicule right now. So Dak, Micah, Trevon, and Ceedee, and the rest of the Cowboys’, just shut up and get ready to do your jobs for 60 minutes.
Prediction
The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different outcome. Call me insane but the Cowboys’ are due long overdue to slay the dragon called Tom Brady, they are overdue to play in the playoffs the way they show annually in the regular season. Everyone is 0-0 now. So put away the negatives and realize the opportunity ahead of you. Be the Dallas Cowboys that no one outside of Cowboys Nation wants to see, be a WINNER. So what the heck I will say Dallas 27 Tampa Bay 20 as a final score.
As always find me on Twitter @GregsCowboys
