The Dallas Cowboys will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in a game that could have major playoff implications. The Cowboys are 11-2 and are in first place in the NFC, but a loss would be their second in a row and give them just a one-game lead for the conference's top seed. The Bucs are a surprising 8-5 and are one a five-game winning streak. A win would keep them in first place in the NFC South, and would put them in excellent position to at least claim a wild card spot.
Can the Buccaneers continue their winning streak, or will the Cowboys get back to their winning ways? Here's our preview and prediction.
Game Info:
When: 8:30 p.m. EST
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: NBC
Spread: Cowboys by 7
O/U: 47
What They're Saying About The Dallas Cowboys:
How Cowboys can clinch NFC East, first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout playoffs (Dallas Morning News)
Why The Cowboys Will Beat The Buccaneers (Chat Sports)
Darren McFadden's return bad news for Alfred Morris (ESPN)
What They're Saying About The Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Bucs LB Kwon Alexander shown ropes by Cowboys' Sean Lee (ESPN)
Beating the Cowboys would skyrocket the Bucs’ playoff chances (Bucs Nation)
Mike Smith’s defense sounds a lot like Lovie Smith’s (Bucs Nation)
Key To The Game: Tampa Bay's Defense vs. Dak Prescott
The Buccaneers have given up the fewest points of anyone in the league during their winning streak, and are the biggest reason why they've been able to turn their season around. On the flip side, the Cowboys haven't looked like the juggernaut they were earlier in the season because of Prescott's regression. He has thrown for less than 200 yards in each of Dallas' last three games, leading to increased speculation of him potentially being replaced with Tony Romo. The Giants were able to specifically rattle him last weekend, limiting him to a career-low 45.9 completion percentage and two interceptions (he came into that game with just two interceptions thrown all year).
It remains to be seen if this is just a slight slip up for Prescott or the beginning of a trend, but Tampa Bay is going to try to replicate New York's gameplan. Prescott's play will likely determine who wins this game.
Prediction: Cowboys win 28-24
Look for Dallas to get back to running the football to make Prescott's job easier, and since the Bucs rank in the middle of the league in rushing defense, Ezekiel Elliott should be able to have a good deal of success. Jameis Winston and the Bucs' offense will do their best to keep up, but ultimately, the Cowboys will ice the game in the fourth quarter.