Connect with us

Dallas Cowboys

Three keys for Cowboys to beat Tampa Bay

Three keys for Cowboys to beat Tampa Bay

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a horrendous week in Indianapolis where they were shutout 23-0. There was still an outside chance to clinch the division but both the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins won their games. This week they will try again against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the Buccaneers have been eliminated from playoff contention, they can pose a problem.

Let’s take a look at three keys to the Cowboys becoming division champs Sunday afternoon.

Cowboys defense vs. Mike Evans and company

The Buccaneers come into Sundays game ranked #1 in passing yards per game.  Everybody knows Mike Evans as he is one the top receivers in the league. Evans comes into this game having already surpassed his career high as far as yards (1,328). He has also collected 74 catches. In two previous matchups against the Cowboys, he has 12 combined catches for 185 yards and no touchdowns. But, this year it is not just Evans that is making big plays, it’s also Adam Humphries and Chris Godwin. Known Cowboys nemesis Desean Jackson is expected to make his return Sunday after missing the last three games due to a thumb injury.

Cowboys’ red zone offense vs. Buccaneers red zone defense

The Cowboys have spent extra time this week diving into their 31st ranked red zone offense. In the last three games, they have scored touchdowns on just 18 percent of their red zone trips. They should have had a red zone touchdown against Indy that could have changed the game, but Jamize Olawale dropped an easy touchdown. If there was any week to fix some of things that have troubled the Cowboys in the red zone, it would appear this week is the week to fix them as the Buccaneers rank 32nd in touchdowns given up in the red zone.

Forcing turnovers vs. Jameis Winston

It is no secret that Jameis Winston has been a turnover machine so far in his career. He has thrown 57 career interceptions in 54 games and has fumbled 14 times. Winston started off the 2018 season suspended for three games and then was benched week 8 after throwing four interceptions in the first half in Cincinnati. He regained the starting job week 12 against San Francisco and has only turned the ball over twice since then. It will be critical for the “Hot Boyz” to get back on track this Sunday to force Winston into some mistakes as the Cowboys do not want to face a “win and in” situation in New York week 17.

Staff writer covering the Dallas Cowboys | Grew up in Plano, Texas. Graduated from Plano east in 2009, graduated from American broadcasting school in 2011. Big time DFW sports fan. Once went to Shawn Marions pool party the summer the Mavs won the championship.

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Recent Posts