Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2024

Preview and Prediction

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue their march towards the playoffs, riding a winning streak that the Dallas Cowboys will likely have to put an end to in order to keep their own postseason hopes alive on Sunday.

Sitting atop the NFC South with a record of 8-6, the Buccaneers snatched the third seed in the NFC from the Seattle Seahawks last week when the Green Bay Packers defeated them.

Having won their last four games, the Buccaneers currently hold a one-game lead over the Atlanta Falcons in the South. The Falcons, fresh off their first victory in a month, have announced that they will be benching quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons currently hold the tiebreaker over Tampa Bay, having swept both of their meetings this season.

The Cowboys come into this game with a record of 6-8, having won three of their last four games. However, they are currently three games behind the Washington Commanders, who hold the final wild-card spot in the NFC. According to NFL.com's playoff predictor, the Cowboys have just a 1 percent chance of making it to the playoffs.

Their last two victories have come against teams that have long been eliminated from playoff contention - the Carolina Panthers (3-11) and the New York Giants (2-12).

The Buccaneers' high-powered offense poses a significant challenge for the Cowboys' defense, which has allowed 380 points this season and has a concerning point differential of minus-82.

Tampa Bay leads the league with eight games of 400-plus total yards, and they have also had four games with over 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards.

The Los Angeles Chargers had the best scoring defense in the NFL before they faced the Buccaneers last week, but Tampa Bay delivered a crushing 40-17 defeat.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles credited the team's offensive success to coordinator Liam Coen for fully utilizing the playbook.

"It's all about attention to detail," Bowles said. "It starts with the run game - how can we run off of this? How can we throw off of this? What did we do last week? What do we see? What do they see? It's about putting it all together. The coaches collaborate upstairs and then give it to the players, who execute it on the field. The camaraderie and coordination between the players has been excellent."

The Cowboys will need to put pressure on Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to help out their depleted and injury-ridden secondary.

Dallas pass rusher Micah Parsons, who has 8.5 sacks this season (5.5 in the last four games), leads the team. However, it will be difficult to get to Mayfield with left tackle Tristan Wirfs, the top-ranked pass blocker according to Pro Football Focus, protecting him. The aggressive Chargers only managed to sack Mayfield once last week.

Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who has been out since Week 4 with a foot injury, is not expected to play this week.

"I don't see DeMarcus being available this week," said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. "He wasn't part of the conversation for Sunday."

Mayfield was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Buccaneers' road victory over the Chargers. He completed 22 of 27 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns, two of which were caught by wide receiver Mike Evans. Mayfield had a passer rating of 135.3, helping the Bucs to the largest margin of victory in Week 15. Tampa Bay scored on nine of 12 possessions and did not punt.

Mayfield currently ranks third in the league in passing touchdowns (32) and completion percentage (70.8), fourth in total touchdowns (35) and passing yards (3,617), and sixth in passer rating (104.1).

The Buccaneers will be without safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) for this game, while linebacker K.J. Britt (ankle) and tight end Cade Otton (knee) are listed as questionable. Safety Mike Edwards is also questionable after missing two games with a hamstring injury.

Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair his ACL, MCL, and PCL in his right knee. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) also needs surgery and may not return until the 2025 season opener, according to vice president Stephen Jones.

Cowboys tackle T.J. Bass (thigh), lineback

PREDICTION

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

26

22

Dallas Cowboys

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys