Cowboys vs Buccaneers: Tampa’s defensive entrance may decelerate Dallas’ surging run sport

5 Bucs to Watch Against the Cowboys – Brianna Dix, Buccaneers.com

Two stellar Bucs defenders may depart disrupt Dallas’ gameplan.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will journey to Texas for a Sunday Evening Soccer showdown in Week 16 in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 22 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. The Buccaneers have gained the previous two common season conferences, with the newest victory coming in Week One of many 2022 slate in Dallas. Tampa Bay is coming off a dominant 40-17 victory over the Chargers in Week 15 that allowed the Bucs to carry on to sole possession of first place within the NFC South. At SoFi Stadium, Tampa Bay’s offense recorded essentially the most factors (40), most whole yards (506) and most speeding yards (223) in opposition to the league’s top-scoring protection. In the meantime, the Cowboys had arguably their most full win of the season since Week One in opposition to the Panthers in Week 15. Dallas gained 30-14 and Mike Zimmer’s protection sacked Bryce Younger six occasions, whereas posting two interceptions and forcing two fumbles. Listed here are 5 gamers to watch following kickoff on Sunday Evening Soccer:

Vita Vea

Bucs’ nostril deal with Vita Vea is tied with linemate Calijah Kancey for the staff lead with 6.0 sacks. He has been a formidable pressure within the inside, wreaking havoc. In three profession video games in opposition to the Cowboys, Vea has racked up 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits and 4 tackles (two for loss). He constantly splits double groups and overpowers facilities/guards. The 347-pound menace is mild on his ft and routinely pummels linemen on the level of assault. Vea has vary down the road of scrimmage and with out nine-time Professional Bowl proper guard Zack Martin within the Cowboys’ lineup (injured reserve), he’ll vie to take benefit on Sunday in primetime, carving up the center of Dallas’ offensive line. His double-team strain fee ranks seventh within the league (11) amongst defensive tackles with 400-plus snaps and Vea might be on the prowl in prime time.

Lavonte David

In seven profession video games in opposition to Dallas, Lavonte David has tallied 62 tackles (six for loss), 2.0 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, three passes defensed and one fumble restoration. On the age of 34, David is taking part in with elite play recognition. In opposition to the Chargers in Week 15, David had a stellar day with 12 tackles (one for loss), 1.5 sacks, and three quarterback hits on Justin Herbert. He grew to become the primary participant this season to document a sport with 12-plus tackles, three-plus quarterback hits and 1.5-plus sacks. He units the tone in Tampa Bay and is adept at masking tight ends, blitzing by means of the A-gap and flattening guards to get into the backfield to make tackles. David has a knack for making performs on the soccer and is Mr. Consistency for the Bucs. With excellent vary and talent to diagnose and set off, David solidifies Todd Bowles’ protection. On Sunday, David will go up in opposition to Cowboys operating again Rico Dowdle. Dowdle posted a career-high 149 yards on the bottom in Week 15 in opposition to the Panthers, marking his third straight 100-yard speeding efficiency. He’s on tempo to surpass 1,000 yards speeding and pairs imaginative and prescient with burst. Dowdle is ready to shortly decide cutback lanes and transitions from evading tacklers to complete mode with ease.

Bucs at Cowboys: What To Watch For In Week 16 – Bailey Adams, PewterReport.com

Tampa is priming for a playoff push once they go to Arlington on Sunday.

The 8-6 Bucs head into Jerry World in Week 16 to match up with the 6-8 Cowboys on Sunday Evening Soccer. Tampa Bay has gained 4 straight video games and might be trying to make it 5 straight, which might get the staff nearer to locking up a fourth consecutive NFC South title.

For the Bucs, it could be so simple as persevering with to let the bottom sport carry them on this week’s matchup. The Dallas run protection has been higher as of late, but it surely’s nonetheless permitting 136.1 yards per sport, which ranks twenty ninth within the league. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen could wish to lean on Bucky Irving and Rachaad White on this one, particularly with the best way that duo – and especially Irving – completed final week’s win in opposition to the Chargers. Tampa Bay’s offensive line is mauling within the run sport, and the massive heavies might be able to roll once more in primetime.

As a lot because the run sport would possibly be capable to propel the Buccaneer offense, Baker Mayfield additionally must play a clear, turnover-free sport. Nothing will rile up the house crowd on Sunday Evening Soccer fairly like a possible game-swinging turnover, so Mayfield must keep away from the errors on this one. And if he does flip the ball over, he must snap again shortly like he did in opposition to Los Angeles. Mayfield threw a second-quarter interception earlier than happening to complete off a four-touchdown day that earned him NFC Offensive Participant of the Week honors. He’ll be trying to get in a rhythm with Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and Cade Otton early on to set the tone proper.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

For Tampa Bay’s protection, the massive keys are getting after Cooper Rush and containing each CeeDee Lamb and Rico Dowdle. Lamb is the kind of receiver who can take over a sport, and the Bucs can’t let that occur on Sunday night time. Shutting Dowdle and the Cowboys run sport down could also be simply as necessary, although, because the protection’s skill to neutralize the Chargers on the bottom final week performed an enormous position of their dominant efficiency. The higher Todd Bowles‘ protection can cease the run, the extra it’ll be capable to strain Rush and pressure him into some expensive errors.

Bucs’ 39 TD superstar predicted to be franchise tagged – Andrew Parsaud, SportingNews.com

Tampa’s quantity 2 receiver my not get a brand new deal this 12 months.

One main determination the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should make within the offseason is centered round Chris Godwin. Since being drafted within the third spherical by Tampa Bay in 2017, Godwin has been one among their most constant playmakers, creating the proper duo with Mike Evans.

The Tremendous Bowl champion is anticipated to be one of many high free agent huge receivers in 2025. The Bucs are anticipated to have simply over $24 million in cap house within the coming offseason, so there’s not a lot room handy Godwin an enormous extension instantly.

May they use the franchise tag on Godwin for a fourth time? Joel Corry of CBS Sports lists it as a chance, however outlines the potential monetary ramifications that might include Godwin receiving one other tag.

So mainly, if tagged, Godwin could be making near $40 million in 2025, better than the franchise tag for a quarterback. The common worth for a large receiver tag could be $23,599,000. The cap for 2025 is anticipated to rise, so the Bucs may probably make one thing occur with Godwin in the event that they actually needed to.

Right here is the ultimate damage report for the Week 16 sport between the Bucs and Cowboys.