Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Wildcard Edition
What We’ve Seen from Buccaneers and Possible Offensive Game Plan Against Cowboys
Points Per Game: 18.4
Passing Yards Per Game: 269.8
Rushing Yards Per Game: 76.9
Total Yards Per Game: 346.7
Third Down Conversion Percentage: 37.4%
Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 52.0%
Buccaneers Offensive Strategy vs Cowboys
Offensively the Buccaneers seemed to have lost the explosiveness we saw two seasons ago when they won the Super Bowl and looked like a team that would have continued success going forward. For most of the season, this team hasn’t been able to really do anything on the ground which has led to struggles in their passing game. Averaging 3.4 yards per carry and only broke the 100-yard mark three times this season, one being against the Cowboys in the season opener.
Trying to recreate that success will be something the offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich will prioritize in order to keep the Cowboys’ pass rush away from Brady who was sacked twice by Micah Parsons in week one. Look for running backs Rachaad White and Leonard Fournette to get work early and often against a Cowboys run defense that has given up 527 yards on the ground over the last four games. If that doesn’t work then look for Brady, who’s one of the best in the league in getting the football out of his hands quickly, to target the cornerback opposite Trevon Diggs and this middle of the field for quick completions, dinking and dunking his way down the field.
.@dallascowboys who is playing the LCB position next MNF @Buccaneers ? It looks to be a problem for the Cowboys. You better believe that Brady is going to attack that spot. If you doubt ; go watch the @panthers game from wk 17. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/OmWpp9gBhM
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 10, 2023
Cowboys Defensive Strategy vs Buccaneers
Dallas on their part if they want to pick up their first win against Brady will need to do a better job of getting the ball carrier on the ground. The Buccaneers’ ball carriers have done a decent job of picking up yards after contact totaling 452 yards between them. Hopefully, the Cowboys are able to get Leighton Vander Esch and Johnathan Hankins back on the field to help in the middle.
Cowboys defense is absolutely in playoff form; with reinforcements coming in LVE and Hankins.
— KD Drummond (@KDDrummondNFL) January 8, 2023
Get the offense feeling good and get on the plane.
If they are able to keep the Buccaneers’ running game under control and get someone they trust to come out and play well at left cornerback then this could be the game where they are finally able to beat a Brady-led team. This will also force Brady to sit in the pocket so they have a chance to let Micah Parsons and a Dallas pass rush ranked third in the NFL with 54 sacks wreak havoc on the Buccaneers’ offensive game plans.