Can the Cowboys, despite their injured stars, step up again versus the potent Bucs?
The Dallas Cowboys (6-8) are still clinging to postseason aspirations and need another win on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6).
Can the defense, despite its injured stars, step up again versus Baker Mayfield and the potent Bucs offense?
The Dallas Morning News' columnists and beat writers make their predictions below.
Tim CowlishawCowboys
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Can the Cowboys control a game on the ground against a playoff-bound team the way they did with Rico Dowdle against the Giants and Panthers? That's the tricky part. Also, Baker Mayfield has been on a roll and the Bucs are determined to hold off Atlanta and win the NFC South. Cowboys have to pressure Mayfield into multiple turnovers. A few sacks won't do the trick.
Buccaneers 30, Cowboys 21
AdvertisementDamon Marx
The Cowboys can be eliminated from playoff contention before their game kicks off. If Washington upends Philadelphia at noon, Dallas' postseason hopes will be extinguished. If the Commanders lose, however, it will only delay the inevitable. The matchups don't favor the Cowboys this week, with Tampa Bay's high-scoring offense hitting its stride. Yes, the Dallas defense has provided pressure and has forced takeaways of late, but the Cowboys offense with Cooper Rush under center must play mistake-free to keep up. Does mistake-free sound like these Cowboys?
Buccaneers 30, Cowboys 24
AdvertisementDavid Moore
Tampa Bay is poised to win its division. The Cowboys? Not so much. Dallas could find itself eliminated from the postseason before the game even kicks off. Motivation advantage, Buccaneers. But these beaten and battered Cowboys have shown a little something of late, winning three of four games. It should be competitive. Look for Baker Mayfield to tip the scales.
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Buccaneers 27, Cowboys 20
Abraham Nudelstejer
Even though they'll be facing one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NFL, the Cowboys have a good chance to go toe-to-toe with the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield has 32 touchdowns this season and 3,617 yards (fourth in the league). Mayfield is the main reason the Bucs are in the playoff picture, but their defense is one of the most vulnerable in the league. Tampa Bay allows 368.5 yards per game (28th in the league) and has allowed 34 touchdowns. Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush will take advantage of that and make the game closer than many think.
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Buccaneers 27, Cowboys 24
Kevin Sherrington
Winning three of your last four games after a season like the Cowboys have put fans through is like taking out the garbage the morning after you trashed the house, wrecked the car and mooned the neighbors. No, it doesn't make up for it. Besides, the Cowboys are 1-6 at home and the Bucs are 5-2 on the road. This is what's called a perfect storm. Best that Cowboys fans can hope is that Baker Mayfield doesn't plant a Bucs flag on the star.
Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 20
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