DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys handed Tom Brady his third-largest margin of defeat in a postseason game with a 31-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday night in the NFC wild-card at Raymond James Stadium.
It could have been the largest margin had kicker Brett Maher not missed four extra points. It could have also been dire and cost Dallas the game had the defense not kept Tampa Bay off the scoreboard until the final play of the third quarter.
Cowboys owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones joined "Shan & RJ" on Audacy's 105.3 "The Fan" [KRLD-FM] Tuesday and took a positive approach to Maher going 1-5 on extra points.
"I think the first thing you do is talk about how isn’t it great to have that as the number one thing we need to correct or the number one thing we need to address," said Jones. "I think that shows everything about not only how we played, but where we are with this team right now. Make no mistake about it, we got to have the same week of preparation."
The four extra point misses were the most in any game on record. Nevertheless, Jones also got realistic about Maher, who had been dependable going 29-32 on field goals and 50-53 on extra points in the regular season.
"It has everything to do with the — just frankly mentally having it altogether when you step up there," Jones said. "And, so, we’ll read this thing as the week goes along. I don’t want to get out over skis and get ahead of it. I thought when he came out at halftime, I watched him warm up out there. He was making all the kicks. I figured that was behind him, but we will take a look at it. We can’t [afford] a big setback to go into the rest of this tournament, rest of this playoff with shakiness at kicker.”
Jones would also not rule out carrying two kickers on the roster against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional round on Jan. 22 at Levi's Stadium, but noted that it would be an "imposition" to use a game day roster spot on an extra kicker.
The Cowboys would also be open to going for more two-point conversions and fourth downs, according to Jones. Dallas was 2-2 on fourth downs against the Buccaneers, and even went for it on a 4th & 4 from the Tampa Bay 18-yard line with 10:18 to go in the game while leading 24-6.
Quarterback Dak Prescott threw his fourth touchdown pass to receiver CeeDee Lamb, and Maher made the ensuing extra point.
Do you think the Cowboys should find a new kicker ahead of their divisional round playoff game? Share your thoughts with Mark on Twitter @therealmarklane.
