NFL Week 15 Picks & Predictions: Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Bucs
Every week we ask all of The Landry Hat writers and contributors to submit their picks and predictions for the upcoming game. This week, we asked our experts for their prediction on the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game this Saturday night.
Steven Mullenax, Editor & Head Writer: The Cowboys seem to play up or down to their competition depending upon the game. But the Tampa Bay defense is terrible and they will have a hard time containing Dallas’ roller coaster of an offense. And I see Rob Ryan’s defense making a statement this week inspired by their last two poor performances. Dallas wins, 27-10.
View more picks and predictions, after the break:
Robert Diton, Staff Writer: I don’t know about you guys, but there’s still a bad taste in my mouth from Sunday. I hope and pray the Cowboys have a shorter memory than I do. They need to, considering now is the time for a playoff push. We still control our own destiny. Everything starts Saturday in Florida. The Bucs have lost 7 in a row and are still struggling to find an identity. The Cowboys need to prove that they have put all the other games behind them and can focus on the job at hand. I see them doing just that, and re-taking first place in the NFC East going into Sunday’s games. Cowboys 31, Buccaneers 14.
Simus1974, Video Contributor: Well this is easy….Romo throws for over 400 yards, Laurent Robinson & Dez Bryant is over 125 yards & have 2 touchdowns apiece….but the suspect defense blows a 28 point lead, alan ball is once again abused like a $2 crackwhore, Raheem Morris & Jason Garrett ice Dan Bailey, who miss again…you couldn’t make this shit up! Buccaneers win 30-28!!
Seth Jones, Staff Writer: It looks like the Cowboys’ offense is awesome right now and their defense sucks. Right? Well, since the NFL is insane and makes everyone look dumb, I will adjust my prediction to better match-up with the common reality. Cowboys: 17 Buccaneers: 7. Legarrete Blount will punch Jason Witten after the game.
Mark Contreras, Video Contributor & Staff Writer: Coming off a ridiculous sequence of events the past two weeks, we’re going to find out if this team we all worship so much cares about winning. I think they do but have been stunted by a debilitating weakness they can do nothing to fix until the FA/Draft period. Cowboys are going to win this one, though. Cowboys 27 Buccaneers 16.
Joe D. Ramirez, Senior Writer: The Cowboys are wounded. Their head coach is under fire for poor game management at the end of games. Their defensive coordinator is under fire for losing more 12+ point fourth quarter leads in one year than the entire franchise has in its previous existence. Our star rookie running back will not be on the field and is to be replaced by an inconsistent back that many fans have moved on from. Finally our quarterback, who can be prone to making mistakes when passing 40+ times per game will be called upon to have a greater role because of the aforementioned running back situation. And that doesn’t even take into consideration that Sam Hurd, a former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, was pinched by federal agents for attempting to purchase large amounts of cocaine and marijuana. The presumption is that Hurd was the SUPPLIER to many members of the NFL and all but certainly to members of the Dallas Cowboys. It has been said that Hurd has named names… and without question, the players will not be 100% focused on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I wish I could say that their talent will overcome the challenges. I wish I could say that Tony Romo has just enough magic to carry this team on his shoulders, but I just don’t see that happening this week. The Dallas Cowboys lose against a lessor team all but ending their 2011 playoff run. Let’s say 24-16. 🙁
Todd Toombs, Staff Writer: On paper given the season the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have experienced, this should be a fairly easy win. However, there is nothing more dangerous than a cornered animal and Head Coach Raheem Morris has his back against the wall after reports that he was supposed to be fired on Monday. That can become a rallying point for the Bucs. They still have some weapons that can be dangerous and are more than capable of putting a complete game together. It would not surprise me to see them play their best game against the Cowboys like most opponents seem to do. Even with the injuries this last week, the Cowboys are simply a more talented, more complete team than the Bucs right now and are anxious to put the Giants game behind them. I don’t expect the blowout that most fans would love to see, but I think the ‘Boys get the ‘W’. Cowboys 31 Buccaneers 21.
Tonni Shook, Staff Writer: This is a must win, in my humble opinion, for the Dallas Cowboys. The ‘boys travel to Tampa for a showdown against the lowly Tampa Bay Bucs. As with other lowly teams, however, the Cowboys have let their guard down and lost. The Cowboys defense better step up and step up big and what better time than Saturday night! Felix Jones played with tons of heart last weekend and I’d like to see that intensity continue. Tony Romo has a chance to shine against a defense even worse than the Cowboys defense. So, with that said, Cowboys – 27, Bucs – 10.
Marney Robinson, Staff Writer: I haven’t been very good at these predictions lately…but if the Cowboys are going to turn things around and become the team we all know they should be, then it’s this week against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has nothing to lose, so that makes them dangerous and unpredictable. Rob Ryan has said he is going to fix the communication issues that have plagued the defense all season long…I wonder why that wasn’t fixed within the first few weeks of the season. A loss to Tampa Bay would not knock the Cowboys out of the playoff hunt, but it would certainly look bad for their chances going forward. If the Cowboys are serious about saving their season, this one shouldn’t even be close. Cowboys 31, Bucs 17.
Jonathan Barger, Staff Writer: In a game that the Cowboys should win, don’t expect another nail-biter from our ‘Cardiac Cowboys’. With a terrible defense and an offense that isn’t clicking behind a Josh Freeman slump, both sides of the ball will be able to dominate. Rob Ryan has admitted his mistakes the past several games, and he looks to simplify both the schemes and communication involved. Luckily for Ryan, this offense is not the worst in the league, and can present some challenge, but not potent enough to do much damage. This game will give him time to tweak the “simplified” version of his scheme; just in time for two potent offenses in the upcoming weeks. Romo will continue his hot streak and Felix will show us why he was a 1st round draft pick. Both will be fantasy stars. My darkhorse pick for the week is Dwayne Harris; look for this previously unpolished rookie to start bringing back memories of his highlight reel at East Carolina. Cowboys 37 – Bucs 17.
C. Joseph Wright, Asst. Editor & Staff Writer: The Bucs are pretty bad; it looks like their HC is on the way out, so they have very little to play for. They fumbled four times last week (losing two) and threw two interceptions. The Cowboys will look like a playoff team. Romo will continue to play phenomenal; the receiving corps will collectively have a big day. Felix Jones will be able to big up yards in big chunks. The defense will also look better. Part of that is because the Buc’s offense is pretty bad, and part of it will be because Rob Ryan will simplify things for the secondary this week. The Cowboys will roll through this game; they will win by at least 10. The question is: can they continue that role against their division foes?
Artie Cappello, Staff Writer: Last week put many things in perspective concerning the Cowboys. Unfortunately, just as many other things became became blurred and newly unsure. Can anyone say they know this team anymore? I suddenly feel like I’m going out on a limb with my prediction: Dallas 31, Tampa Bay 16
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