Yes, Dallas fans should be quite fearful of the Bucs. For 2 key reasons:
- Todd Bowles vs Kellen Moore: Bowles is a defensive-minded HC, and is the reason why the Bucs are even still in a position to win their putrid division. The Bucs Dee is well-coached and very disciplined, and is the backbone of the team. The Cowboy's often-vanilla offense doesn't match up well against the Buc's stingy defense. Bowles will be licking his chops to face Moore again, with Moore's often basic, tentative 1st-half game plans. The Cowboys will have a hard time running the ball, and their well-coached secondary and athletic LBs will contest every pass. Advantage: Bowles and the Buc's Dee
- Tom vs Cowboys Defense: Tom is undefeated against the Cowboys, right? And don't even ask about Tom vs. Dan Quinn. Yikes! Thus, Tom will find a way to play well enough to keep the Cowboys on their heels at various stretches in the game, and the Bucs' defense will keep them in until they figure it out. Advantage: Tom and the Buc's O
- Plus, it would be a home game for the Bucs.
So, yes, the Bucs worry me, because of Bowles and Brady. It will likely be a defensive battle for most of the game. And in the 4th quarter, in the playoffs, when the lights are big and the stakes are high, it's hard to believe that Moore will have enough up his sleeve, on the road, to fool the Bowles-guided Defense. And if you let Brady hang around, he'll find a way to make a few, quick, solid reads exposing the defense. The Cowboys desperately need
I believe the offensive line will have to play their best game of the year, opening up holes for the run, and providing a clean pocket for Dak. And Bowles will call some timely overload blitzes, so Dak and the receivers must recognize the need for when a quick slant or drag route is required so Dak doesn't hold the ball too long. And the O Line would need a penalty-free game (a real challenge on the road).
And, I don't think it will take much for the Cowboys, as a team, to have early doubts creep in if they don't come out strong in the first quarter. It will feel like "Here we go again", and they'll likely become a bit tentative, trying to not make a mistake. They'll play tense early. Only a solid 1st quarter of production, especially on offense, will rid them of their own inner doubts facing Brady and Bowles.
But, I don't trust Moore and Quinn enough to trust them against Bowles and Brady, on the road (record and personnel be damned). Too much history has shown me that I should have my doubts. For me, it's logic over emotion.
Moore and Quinn, prove me wrong.