Happy Tuesday, Cowboys Nation. The Dallas Cowboys left Raymond James Stadium Monday night with a 31-14 victory over the Buccaneers to earn their first road playoff win in over 30 years.
Dak Prescott had an all-time playoff performance in last night's victory, producing 329 total yards, five touchdowns, and a 143.3 passer rating. Prescott became just one of five players with four-plus passing touchdowns and at least one rushing touchdown in a playoff game.
Everyone put Prescott on blast last week after his poor performance against Washington in the season finale. Well, all he did was respond with arguably the best game of his career.
Dak Prescott showed tonight that he is a guy you WIN BECAUSE OF, not just a guy you win with. PUT SOME RESPECT on his name.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 17, 2023
“I didn't listen to anybody else's opinions, anybody else's thoughts,” Prescott said on ESPN after the game when asked about being consistently asked about the Cowboys' playoff woes. “I have a great supporting cast, a team that believes in me.”
Prescott helped Dallas earn its first road playoff victory since the 1992 NFC Championship Game. The last win was over the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park.
The Cowboys lost eight straight road playoff games prior to Monday's victory.
The Cowboys' offensive game plan was solid all night long. This is the type of game I wish Dallas could have every week.
I understand it can be hard to do that week in and week out, and things happen, but last night was a great team win (outside of the kicking game).
For someone who has been money all year, Brett Maher became the first player since 1932 to miss four extra points in a single game. Doing so kept the Buccaneers within relative striking distance even with the visitors controlling the contest.
Let's get that fixed before next week.
Dak Prescott on Brett Maher: “I just played like sh— a week ago. So I mean, that happens…Knowing what that guy has done with resiliency he's shown throughout his career, personally, no doubt that he will come back next week and be perfect.” pic.twitter.com/NU0UuogSM0
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 17, 2023
As the Cowboys now have their sights set on a red-hot 49ers team, this is the Prescott the Cowboys will need to reach their first conference title game in 30 years.
Things won't come as easy for them as last night, but to win a playoff game against the goat has to make them feel good.
Even more so because everyone wrote them off after week 18.
If any of you would like to check out my post last week when I said RELAX, now you know why! This team hasn't lost two in a row all season for a reason. When this team is clicking like they did on Monday Night Football, they can beat anyone.
Mistake-free football. Outside of Maher, this was nearly a perfect night for the boys.
This was a team win first and foremost, but Prescott played probably the best game of his career when he needed it the most. What he did leading up to this game didn't even matter after it was final.
The Cowboys have a quick turnaround due to the dumb scheduling. The Cowboys will play Sunday evening against the 49ers, who played on Saturday.
It makes no sense as to why they did this.
Nonetheless, Dallas will need to come into this game ready to stop the run and they will need another masterpiece from Prescott.
Tom Brady is now 0-1 against the Cowboys in the playoffs.
