3 teams Cowboys are most likely to face in 2022 NFL Playoffs
By Randy Gurzi
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Back in Week 1, Dallas had their worst performance of the season in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only did they lose 19-3, but Prescott suffered an injury that required surgery. He missed six games, and Cooper Rush played well enough to go 5-1.
That was a shock, considering they looked so bad against the Bucs, but the Cowboys surprised the doubters and have had just two losses since that game. As for Tampa Bay, they’ve been a disaster. Heading into Week 15, they’re 6-7, but should still win their division since no one else in the NFC South wants to win.
Major Weapons Cowboys Must Prepare for on Buccaneers Offense
As much as everyone wants to write off Tom Brady, the Bucs’ star quarterback can never be taken lightly — especially in the playoffs. In his career, Brady is 35-12 and has 19 years of experience in the postseason. If he gets hot, he can pour on the points in a hurry.
Major Weapons on Cowboys Must Prepare for on Buccaneers Defense
Vita Vea is a monster in the middle of the Tampa Bay defensive line. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds, Vea moves with much more athleticism than his size suggests. That’s how he’s racked up 6.5 sacks so far in 2022. He’s also a force in the run game, and has helped shut down the Dallas ground attack two years in a row.
Concerning Matchup for Cowboys
It has to be Vea. As good as Brady can be, Dallas will struggle to win if this game becomes one-dimensional for them. They don’t have to rack up tons of yardage, but they need to keep the defense honest. If Vea clogs up the interior, that could be a huge problem.
Another reason he’s a problem is that he’s also the one who can destroy the quarterback if the run game is abandoned. If Vea is not neutralized, it can be a long day.
Greatest Advantage for Cowboys
Micah Parsons. That’s the advantage.
Parsons has been a one-man wrecking crew this season, and Tampa Bay has a struggling offense right now. After 13 games, they’re 28th in points scored, and while Brady gets the ball out in a hurry, the pressure has frustrated him this season. If Parsons can get around this struggling offensive line, he can force some mistakes from TB12.
