Cowboys-Buccaneers, Wild Card Round 2022-2023 

The stage is set in prime-time. The Buccaneers and Cowboys will meet in the postseason as they conclude the NFL’s “Super Wild Card Weekend” in a Monday Night Football showdown at Raymond James Stadium. The Cowboys have not won a road playoff game since 1992 and they will look to reverse history come Monday. The Bucs drew the 12-5 Cowboys because they were the fourth seed out of the four NFC division winners. Both clubs have evolved since the Week One clash, and they will strive to keep their greater ambition alive with a victory in the single elimination tournament. The past becomes irrelevant and the focus narrows on what is ahead: The Lombardi Trophy. The Bucs accomplished their first goal, winning a second-consecutive division title, and will lock in on the second, making it to the Divisional Round. After a week of preparation, here is what the Wild Card clash comes down to:

• Dak Prescott tied for the NFL lead with 15 interceptions in 2022 (Texans, Davis Mills). Prescott has thrown at least one interception in seven-straight games entering the playoffs – tied for third-longest streak entering the playoffs since 1990.
• The Cowboys lead the NFL in scoring offense (32.4 points per game) and third-down conversion percentage (52.3) since Prescott returned in Week 7.
• The Buccaneers’ defense forced three-and-outs on 39.6 percentage of drives (second in the NFL). Tampa Bay’s defense allowed a 36.9 third-down percentage in 2022 (sixth in the NFL).
• The Cowboys’ defense leads the NFL in quarterback pressure percentage (35.0) in 2022. Dallas led the NFL in takeaways in each of its last two seasons (2020-21) – first team since the 1972-74 Steelers to lead the NFL in takeaways in consecutive seasons.

• It appears that the Buccaneers will have both of their starting offensive tackles back for Monday Night’s Wild Card matchup against the Cowboys as Donovan Smith and Tristan Wirfs have practiced this week in a full capacity. The question mark surrounds the middle of the line at center. Starting center Robert Hainsey has been limited by a hamstring injury and starting left guard Nick Leverett, who is also the replacement at center, was downgraded from limited participation to non-participation on Thursday with knee and shoulder injuries. Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen has not played a single snap this season after suffering a significant knee injury in training camp but could be activated from injured reserve prior to Monday night’s game after…