I don't know about you, but I'm expecting to see an entirely different Dallas Cowboys team take the field Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers then we saw last week. For some reason or another the Cowboys decided to do their best impression of the “Walking Dead” against the Indianapolis Colts a week ago, but luckily I don't think they will be playing in zombie mode this week.
Getting completely embarrassed has a way of putting things in perspective. That's exactly what I think happened to the Cowboys last week, which is why I believe they will bounce back this week against a Buccaneers team who really has nothing to play for.
Winning actually does nothing for Tampa Bay but worsen their draft status in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. On the other hand, if they lose they better that draft status, putting them in a better position to draft a potential franchise quarterback since they have obviously soured on Jameis Winston. Sounds like a win-win for the Cowboys.
The Buccaneers might not completely rollover, but they don't have the same kind of incentive to win this game as the Dallas Cowboys do. Dallas really needs to win this game to not only help secure the NFC East division title, but to get their confidence back after it was knocked down a peg or two against the Colts last Sunday.
There is absolutely nothing about Tampa Bay that should worry the Cowboys too much. Offensively, Quarterback Dak Prescott and his receivers should be able to move the ball through the air with ease against the Buccaneers 27th ranked pass defense. Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Cole Beasley should all have big games.
Ezekiel Elliott should also have a big game as both a runner and receiver against the Buccaneers. Their defensive line may be the strength of their team, but no one has really been able to contain Zeke all season and I don't expect that to happen this week either. Don't be surprised to see Prescott more involved as a runner as well. Hooray!
Defensively I'm expecting a bounce back game from the Dallas Cowboys. Last week against the Colts was without a doubt their worst performance of the season and I believe they took that personally. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they took out their frustrations on the Jameis Winston led Buccaneers offense.
All in all, I really believe this is a game the Dallas Cowboys should dominate from start to finish. They are not only the more talented team, but they have their eyes set on building momentum heading into the playoffs. This could be the perfect confidence booster they need before they close out the regular season against the New York Giants next week.
I'm expecting this game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be just a speedbump on the road to the playoffs for the Dallas Cowboys. It's time for them to put the pedal to the metal and not look back in the rearview mirror.
