Throw out the records, nobody is going to care who is hurt, who isn't playing, find a way to advance! The Cowboys haven't won a road playoff game since 1992, if they want success this year, they must end that drought! Judgement time for both MM and Dak Prescott!
Offense
-Two years ago, Kellen Moore decided not to test the best run defense in football and pretty much relied on Dak's arm. This worked with great success as the team lost a close game to a heavy favorite SB winner. This year, they actually were running the football well, but Moore gave up on it way too early, even when the Bucs weren't ahead by much. They must stay balanced to be effective.
-Going back two years ago, Dak had great success against Todd Bowles blitz packages, in the game this year, he used the Denver strategy by playing deep shell coverage and forcing Dak to pass the football in tight windows. He refrained from blitzing at all. Our receivers really struggled winning their matchups, especially on the outside. TB corners like to play a lot of off coverage, Dak must take the underneath throws and get the ball out quickly. Must be mindful over the middle as TB employ's two excellent ballhawks in David and Whitfield Jr.
-Their best pass rusher is on the ir, but still have Joe Tryon and Vita Vea to deal with inside. If the OL can contain Vea from blowing up the pocket, Dak should have a relatively clean pocket to work with.
-Offensive success with be all about the early downs, get into third and manageables and they should be able to drive the football, get into third and longs and they will have similar results as their 1st matchup this season when they have 8 men in coverage. Balance is the key, force them to get out of that shell coverage and blitz Dak.
Defense
-1st game was all about the Cowboys inability to stop the Bucs rushing attack, not Brady and the passing game. This sounds crazy, where the Bucs couldn't run against anyone throughout the season. They killed us on the outside runs to RE side, lineman pulling where Diggs was forced to take on lineman on the outside. This cannot happen again. With Hankins returning, you would think he can hold up some blockers, which will allow our linebackers to run to the football better.
-Yes, Mike Evans is the team's best deep threat, but it's Chris Godwin who is the biggest threat in the passing game. He does all his work underneath this season and they like to throw many screen his way. He is the receiver Brady looks for on third downs. Quinn has a difficult decision, does he look to take Godwin out with Diggs or does he protect the deep shots against Evans? Rest assure, the Bucs are going to attack the corner opposite Diggs, where Hooker needs to protect whomever is out there.
-There OL is very suspect, especially up the middle, however, their pro bowl Center, Jensen might be returning. Brady doesn't take many sacks and he is the quickest thrower in the league. That doesn't mean you cannot pressure him into making bad throws and mistakes. The way to pressure Brady is up the middle in his face, always has struggled with this. Quinn needs to move Parsons around and find the best matchups.
-The Giants won 2 SB's with a distinct formula against Brady. Generate pressure with the front four, play press coverage on the outside. I don't care who the Cowboys have starting at corner, Giants had a bunch of no names who had success with this strategy against better offensive personnel we will see.
