After limping into the playoffs with a losing record, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers (8-9) are happy to put 2022 behind them.
It has been an up and down season to say the least. This begs the question: which version of the Buccaneers will we see in the postseason?
The Bucs entered the regular season on a high-note. They won their first two games, including a 19-3 thumping of Dallas in Jerry World. They then lost five of their next six, prompting many to wonder whether even Brady, the undisputed GOAT, could right the ship.
Fast forward four months, and lo and behold: The Bucs will throw down with America’s team for the second time this year in the Super Wildcard round on Monday Night Football. Now playoff bound, the Bucs can look forward to a clean slate and put the regular season in the rearview mirror.
Tom Brady vs. Dak Prescott
If Bucs fans are looking for something to hang their hats on, look no further than Tom Brady’s career vs. the Dallas Cowboys. For starters, Brady has never lost to Dallas (7-0) in his 23-year career. In those seven games, he holds a 95.0 passer rating, throwing for 15 touchdowns to just five interceptions.
The last time these two quarterbacks met, Dak Prescott had one of his worst games in the NFL. He threw for a pedestrian 47.5 QBR and was unable to find the end zone. On top of that, Prescott is coming off of his second worstQBR as a pro (45.7) against Washington in Week 18.
Meanwhile, the Bucs D ranks in the top 10 in sacks (tied seventh), passing yards allowed (ninth), and winning on third down (sixth). Dak’s league-leading 15 interceptions in 12 games — seven on third down — should have the Bucs secondary salivating.
Speaking of secondaries, the Cowboys have a damaged one. Week 1 starting cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown are both on injured reserve, pushing rookie CB Daron Bland into the starting lineup. One thing we know about Brady is he loves targeting rookie cornerbacks. Bland should expect to see plenty of balls thrown his way Monday night.
A Jekyll and Hyde Offense
It is no secret the Bucs have struggled to find their rhythm and any semblance of consistency on offense this season, but they have shown glimmers of gold.
Brady threw more passes (733) and completions (490) than any quarterback in history, let alone the league this year, setting both NFL single-season records. Receiver Mike Evans broke his own record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He is just the second player in league history to eclipse the millennium mark nine years in a row.
Less than two weeks ago, Brady and Evans connected three times in the end zone to overcome a double-digit deficit and punch the Bucs’ ticket to the post season.
If Brady can continue to find his weapons the way he did in Week 17 against Carolina, and his receivers can haul them in, opposing defenses watch out. The Bucs are currently leading the league in drops with 29.
Balance on Offense is Key
While Brady can and does seem to do it all, the Bucs will need to show more balance on offense to move on in the playoffs. Keeping defenses honest is almost impossible for a team ranking dead last in the league running the football like the Bucs currently are.
Rookie tailback Rachaad White has performed admirably when thrust into the starting role relieving an injured Leonard Fournette, but neither back has been able to get much going on the ground. Bucs running backs are averaging a modest 54 yards running the ball at home.
Where the Bucs’ backfield has shined this season is catching the ball. Fournette has been Brady’s favorite outlet this season, catching 73 of 83 targets.
The key for the Bucs to a deep playoff run will be running the ball at an efficient clip on early downs. The Cowboys defense leads the league in takeaways, so running the football will be key for the Bucs to keep Dallas honest and limit their opportunities for turnovers while wearing them down in the process.
Will the Cowboys Finally Break Out of Their Playoff Slump?
The Cowboys ride into Wild Card weekend with their own shadow of doubt looming. Dallas’ lowly 3-10 playoff record since the ’96 season has been well documented, leaving many football fans wondering if the ”Cowboys will be Cowboys” and fold yet again under the playoff lights.
Dallas (-3) is the favorite in Vegas, but as TB12 has proven for over two straight decades, the GOAT is no underdog.
Will this be the game that the Cowboys break the Brady curse or the start of a run for a Bucs team so many have already counted out?
As Brady has shown time and time and time again, you cannot count him out.
By Jordan Ogren.
