Ali Marpet

Dallas Cowboys vs Buccaneers: Four final pregame thoughts

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:03 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys will look to get back to their winning ways against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Here are some thoughts on this Week 15 contest. Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett reacts during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports The Dallas Cowboys are coming into Week Fifteen with an 11-2 record and the ability to clinch the NFC East with some help.Dallas will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in what should be an exciting matchup between two high powered offenses.Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and this talented offense should be able to bounce back as they face a defense that is ranked the 16th in pass defense and 21st rushing defense. Plus it should be noted, Prescott has only played in one cold game prior to his games against the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants. MetLife Stadium, the Giants’ home field is a particularly cold, open air venue that makes achieving success in the passing game somewhat impossible for the uninitiated. Now the Cowboys offense returns to their home field where they have seen a lot of success this season. There will be a lot of keys to the Cowboys success in this contest but mainly the Dallas would like to establish the run early on. Next: Pregame Thought #1 - Cowboys need to get Zeke going early Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates his third quarter touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

#1 . Cowboys need to get Zeke going early

Cowboys starting running back, Ezekiel Elliott will have a large role in this contest as Dallas should lean on him as they look to control the clock.

The Buccaneers have struggled to stop the run all season and they have not really faced a running back the caliber of Elliott.

Tampa Bay has some incredible talent on the defensive side of the ball that will look to lock on to Zeke early in this game.

The Cowboys running back will need to avoid big hits by talented Buccaneers linebacker and Nebraska alum Lavonte David as he looks to lead this defense into this Sunday night battle.

Another player to look out for will also be defensive captain Gerald McCoy who is an absolute monster for the Tampa Bay defensive line.

The Cowboys moved away from utilizing Elliott against the Giants in the second half so expect Zeke to get one of his heavier workloads of the season.

He should have a productive afternoon as the Buc’s defense will struggle to contain the Cowboys first round pick.

Nov 24, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) eludes Washington Redskins outside linebacker Preston Smith (94) for a touchdown during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

#2. Dallas must fully utilize Dak Prescott as a weapon

Prescott has had two “rough” games one of which resulted in a victory. Both of his opponents in those games were two defenses ranked in the top 10 in total defense in the NFL and have incredibly disruptive defensive lines. The Buccaneers are vulnerable defensively and will have trouble defending the quarterback run in this contest.

Tampa Bay could bring down a linebacker spy on Prescott and force him to stay in the pocket however that will only make the Buccaneers struggling secondary even more vulnerable. Prescott will have to make throws from the pocket down the field and those targets should open up if the running game gets going.

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If the Cowboys find themselves around the end zone they should look to let Dak run the football in the end zone as this defense will not be nearly as fierce as his opponents in the past. Even on short yardage and third down plays Prescott has been effective with his feet.

Dallas cannot hope that Dak will begin to throw the ball like Cowboys veteran Tony Romo they have to treat him like the talented player that he is. Not to say, Romo can make more plays with his arm, it is just that Prescott can be more effective creating long game dominating drives utilizing multiple talents such as his ability to run, and his chemistry with the Cowboys wide receiving corps.

Prescott is the best option at quarterback for a run heavy offense as there are multiple plays you can run with Dak at the quarterback position coaches would not dream of running with Romo. The more the Cowboys fourth round draft pick focuses on his strengths, the easier it will be for this offense to shine.

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) runs over Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the second half of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Dallas’ defense must continue to be disruptive

The Cowboys defense has become one of the strengths of this team. Dallas has begun to find turnovers against their opponents and that has made things easier for the offensive side of the ball. Buccaneers quarterback, Jameis Winston has had his great moments this season but has also seen his share of struggles with not only decision making but timing with his wide receiving corps.

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The Cowboys could find success against a mistake prone Tampa offense however they will be without their best pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence do to a back injury. The Buccaneers offensive line will be tested as they are pretty much every week.

Tampa Bay offensive guard, Ali Marpet will prove to be the weakest part of this line and could be in for a rough day against Dallas defensive linemen, Terrell McClain and David Irving.

If the Cowboys can bring pressure and disrupt the timing of Jameis Winston’s deep ball this defense could have a huge day. Dallas’s defensive backfield will be tested as they go up against Buccaneers star wide receiver, Mike Evans.

Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr should be the primary defender on Evans but he should have some help as the Dallas safeties could come over and help in coverage.

At the end of the day, the Cowboys should have enough weapons on the defensive side of the ball to get the job done on Sunday.

Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receivers Cole Beasley (11) Dez Bryant (88) and Terrance Williams (83) pose for a phot in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

#4. Which wide receiver will make the biggest impact?

The Cowboys wide receiving corps have not had the best two weeks recently however they still have managed to complete some big plays in key moments.

The Dallas offense should look to get the ball in the hands of Cowboys star wide receiver, Dez Bryant and starting slot receiver Cole Beasley early and often.

Beasley has been the key to the Cowboys converting third downs and Bryant needs to produce like the playmaker Dallas needs him to be.

The Giants did a great job at disrupting the timing between Bryant and Prescott last week so the Cowboys passing attack will have to bounce back this week.

Let’s also not forget Dallas wide receivers Brice Butler and Terrance Williams. Butler and Williams have also proven to be clutch in the end zone and can contribute against a Buccaneers secondary that has been beatable this season.

This Cowboys passing attack will need to make big plays if they hope to get the rushing attack going and keep Tampa Bay’s explosive offense off the field.