DALLAS — The 2022 Dallas Cowboys refused to allow their story to be told by teams from the past 30 years. In beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14 in the final game of wild-card weekend, the Cowboys started some new narratives.
This Cowboys team can play well on grass, they’re now 1-0 in the playoffs on grass.
The Cowboys are now 1-0 on the road in the postseason.
This Cowboys team is 1-0 in navy blue jerseys in the 2022 playoffs.
The Cowboys are now 1-0 against Tom Brady in the postseason.
And no, Dallas didn’t choke away the season, or even a lead, in this game.
Hopefully you get the point. This Cowboys team wasn’t responsible for the sins of their predecessors, they are their own group. What happened in the past wasn’t going to matter in this game, and these Cowboys of this year went out and put a beatdown on Brady’s Buccaneers to prove it.
There were some nervous times early, but the Cowboys got into a groove on their third offensive series and never looked back. After back-to-back three-and-outs to start the game, quarterback Dak Prescott put together one of the best stretches of his career as he led the Cowboys to four straight touchdown drives.
Prescott was 0 for 3 passing before completing 25 of his next 29, resulting in 305 yards and four scores. With those four touchdowns, Prescott joined some prestigious company within the franchise history books.
The Monday night clash was a near-flawless game from Prescott and the Cowboys. After last week’s performance, coupled with seven straight games with an interception, Cowboys fans were wondering if Prescott still had this type of game in him. The answer from the veteran signal caller was a resounding yes.
Prescott didn’t turn the ball over, instead he accounted for five scores in one of his best performances of his career.
The game plan from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was also flawless. One of Tampa’s weaknesses on defense was on the edges in the running game, where they allowed over 120 yards per game on the ground this season. By featuring backup RB Tony Pollard more than starter Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys were able to be efficient in the running game. Dallas ran for 128 yards, most of which was gained by running outside the numbers, rather than trying to run it up the gut at a stout Buccaneers’ front.
Pollard’s ability to get to the edges fit the game plan more than pounding Elliott inside and Pollard out-rushed his backfield partner by 50 yards with only two more carries.
Moore further knew that Tampa had trouble defending tight ends and schemed up plays to get the ball to Dalton Schultz. Prescott targeted Schultz eight times for seven receptions, 95 yards and two scores.
Dallas also made the decision to be aggressive in this game. Two times they went for in on fourth down, and both times the Cowboys were successful with perfect execution. On 4th & goal from the 1-yard line in the second quarter, a play fake from Prescott worked beautifully and the QB walked in for the score.
On the second fourth down gamble, the Cowboys used wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the slot, and he broke outside to get wide open for a back-breaking 18-yard touchdown.
Meanwhile, a recently-maligned Dallas defense also played a large role in this win. The unit held the Buccaneers scoreless in the first half, which was only the second time in Brady’s career that he had been stymied before halftime. All told, the Cowboys intercepted Brady in the end zone, collected two sacks, and allowed just 52 yards rushing. It wasn’t a high number of sacks, but the Cowboys found ways to pressure Brady to get rid of the ball early or throw off target for much of the game.
When the Buccaneers did manage to score, the Cowboys responded. As they have all year, Dallas answered a touchdown with a touchdown. When Brady finally managed to put a touchdown on the board – planting that small seed of doubt at the end of the third quarter – the Cowboys needed to counter to wipe out any hope for Brady magic.
Prescott provided the answer, leading a nine-play, 66-yard touchdown drive to let the Buccaneers know that there would be no comeback.
The only thing that irked the Cowboys in the win was the performance from kicker Brett Maher, who inexplicably missed four extra points. It was uncomfortable watching Maher continue to miss kicks as he became the first NFL kicker to miss four extra points in the same game.
Thankfully, Maher’s kicking miscues didn’t come back to haunt the team and he made his fifth and final attempt to provide some hope that he is over the hiccup.
Ultimately this game didn’t go the way that many thought it would. The Cowboys didn’t wilt under the scrutiny of a playoff setting as the franchise had done so many times before. Even the Tom Brady Boogeyman was kept at bay. Instead of another disaster, this year’s edition thrived.
These aren’t the same old Dallas Cowboys, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found that out the hard way.
Do you think the Cowboys will slay their divisional round dragons in San Francisco next week? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
