Dallas Cowboys face another tough challenge on SNF

After struggling in their last two games, the challenges do not get any easier for the Dallas Cowboys as the red hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to visit.

Remember when critics said the Dallas Cowboys were the beneficiaries of an easy schedule?  I wonder where those people are now.

Going back to their road contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys are near the end of a brutal stretch of games.  Every single team they have faced since November 13th currently has a winning record.  Each team is fighting for or holding onto a playoff spot.

So much for an easy road.

This arduous task put before the Dallas Cowboys continues for the second straight week on Sunday Night Football on NBC.  Tonight, Dallas will host the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winners of five straight.

While the Buccaneers are hot, the perception is that the Cowboys are not.  Yes, they have only lost one game since opening day.  Yes, they still have the best record in the conference, and league for that matter.  The road of late, however, has been quite bumpy.

This is in large part to the caliber of defenses Dallas has had to face in recent weeks.  In back-to-back contests, the Cowboys have played two teams in the top ten in points allowed.  Both the Vikings and the Giants are in the top three in opposing quarterback rating as well.

Tonight, the Cowboys have another tough challenge in front of them as Tampa Bay has one of the hottest defenses in the league.

Over the last five games, they have allowed just under 13 points per game.  Tampa Bay has forced 10 interceptions, tallied 13 sacks and have four fumble recoveries in this span.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have struggled mightily to put points on the board.  In the last two games, they have just 24 points combined.  That’s two points less than what they average per game.

So, how do the Dallas Cowboys get back on track and right the ship against another tough opponent?

Simply put, they need to get back to basics.  That means a large dose of the vaunted running game that is, without question, the best in the league.

Starter Ezekiel Elliott does not need to amass more carries than usual, but he certainly needs to be on the field more.  This is especially true during key sequences.  Newly activated Darren McFadden needs to be incorporated into the mix.  Even quarterback Dak Prescott should get in on the action?

Why should Dallas pound the ball?

Well, because Tampa Bay is not very good at stopping the run.

The Buccaneers are 20th in total rushing yards allowed.  They are 24th in yards per carry allowed.  In their five losses, they have given up a total of 595 yards.  That represents 41% of their total allowed all season.

Meanwhile, running the ball will not only be helpful to Prescott as he manages his way through a difficult patch in his season.  It will also help keep the Buccaneer offense that features Jameis Winston, Doug Martin and Mike Evans off the field.

Tampa Bay may have very average numbers offensively in 2016 but that trio can go off at any moment.  When you consider the injuries Dallas is working with on the defensive side of the ball, it’s easy to realize why this type of protection is paramount.

Next: Dallas Cowboys vs Bucs: Six Staff Game Predictions

I expect the Cowboys to be successful running the ball.  That success should ultimately lead to a victory.  If they aren’t or it doesn’t, the outside noise could start to reach a deafening level.

The prediction:

Buccaneers 17, Cowboys 31