The time has come for the best teams in the NFL to come together to battle it out and see who is the best. The Dallas Cowboys have once again made it into the playoffs, and though they had hoped for a division title and home game, they are still in the dance.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys must face off against a foe they’ve never been able to get the best of in Tom Brady, who is 7-0 against Dallas all-time.
During that span, Brady has averaged 277.9 passing yards a game with a completion percentage of 61.1% and a quarterback rating of 95.0. If the Cowboys want to win this game, they have to solve their Tom Brady problem. They have the personnel to get the job done on defense but, having the right guys and having those guys perform on the field are two different stories.
So let’s look at this week’s “Know Thy Enemy” Super Wildcard Weekend Edition as we figure out how this game could go.
Cowboys vs. Buccaneers: Know Thy Enemy Wildcard Weekend Edition
Tampa Bay Buccaneers At A Glance
2022 Record: 8-9
2022 Offensive Ranking: 25th out of 32 teams
2022 Defensive Ranking: 13th out of 32 teams
Current Injury List: WR Julio Jones (knee), CB Carlton Davis (shoulder), S Logan Ryan (knee), WR Mike Evans (illness), OT Donovan Smith (foot), LB Carl Nassib (pectoral), C Ryan Jensen (knee), S Keanu Neal (hip), TE Kyle Rudolph (knee), C Robert Hainsey (hamstring), DT Vita Vea (calf), S Mike Edwards (hamstring)
Todd Bowles described center Robert Hainsey as having a "sore hamstring," leaving door open for him to still play next week against Cowboys. Asked about Ryan Jensen's chances to return if needed, Bowles said he's "status quo" and working hard, but "we'll see" where he is.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) January 9, 2023
Most Notable Offensive Players: QB Tom Brady, RB Leonard Fournette, WR Mike Evans, WR Chris Goodwin, WR Julio Jones, TE Cade Otton, RB Rachaad White
Most Notable Defensive Players: DT Vita Vea, OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, LB Lavonte David, DT Akiem Hicks, CB Logan Ryan, S Antoine Winfield Jr., CB Carlton Davis III, LB Devin White
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.
What We’ve Seen from Buccaneers and Possible Defensive Game Plan Against Cowboys
Points Per Game: 21.1
Passing Yards Per Game: 203.6
Rushing Yards Per Game: 120.7
Total Yards Per Game: 324.3
Third Down Conversion Percentage: 36.9%
Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 62.5%
Buccaneers Defensive Strategy vs Cowboys
As much as the offense for the Buccaneers has struggled this season the defense has been keeping them in football games week in and week out. They are going to have their hands full Monday night with top pass rusher Shaquil Barrett out for the season, lucky for them defensive tackle and game wrecker Vita Vea is in the middle of this defensive line and can help pick up the slack. The Buccaneers much like the Cowboys will look to slow their running game and force quarterback Dak Prescott to beat them through the air.
If they can do that then look for them to start sending pressure using their linebackers and safeties overloading the box in an effort to get a free runner in Prescott’s face. Linebackers Devin White, Lavonte David, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka look to be their best rushers and are excellent at timing their blitzes to get pressure. That along with Vea in the middle could give the Cowboys fits all game especially if they aren’t able to get starting center Tyler Biadasz back on the field.
ANTHONY NELSON STRIP SACK RECOVERED BY VITA VEA pic.twitter.com/ilkoJFC0zi
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) January 1, 2023
Cowboys Offensive Strategy vs Buccaneers
From an offensive standpoint, the Cowboys are one of the best in the league averaging 27.5 points per game this season and have been able to score on pretty much anyone when the offense is clicking. This leads us to the big question are we going to see? The crisp offense that was able to run the football, make plays in the passing game and convert third downs better than anyone else in the league since Prescott’s return. Or will we see the team that came out on Sunday against the Commanders lacking focus with mental errors and poor play on the field?
One thing is for sure if they want to win this game they can’t fall behind early against Tom Brady and allow this Buccaneers’ defense to become blitz-happy. In order to do that Kellen Moore is going to need to take the pressure off Prescott and get this running game back on track, and with Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott carrying the football they have a chance to do just that. If they can keep themselves in third and short positions it will force the Buccaneers to honor the running game and allow Prescott to make plays through the air.
The other thing they need to do is protect the football, they’ve given the ball away eight times in the last four games. If that trend continues then we can all go ahead and start preparing for the 2023 season.
Dak Prescott’s 2021 message to Tom Brady comes full-circle before playoff matchup
Dak Prescott's 2021 message to Tom Brady will come full-circle as the Cowboys and Buccaneers will lock horns in the playoffs on Wild Card Weekend.