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It’s a must-win on Saturday night for Dallas, which finds itself currently out of the playoff chase but can still win the NFC East by winning out. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has lost seven straight and just wants the season over.
It’s that special time of year again, that period when the Cowboys start feeling charitable and begin giving away football games. Giving up two TDs in the final 3 minutes against the Giants will probably result in another giveaway — the division title. The Cowboys have been their own worst enemy. They’ve blown five fourth-quarter leads for losses and lost three games in which they led by more than 10 points. Jason Garrett’s decision-making and the team’s defense have come under scrutiny the past few weeks. Poor clock management and conservative play calling prompted Cowboys fans to ask Jerry Jones whether Garrett’s job was on the line. Jones said Garrett was safe.
The offensive line must keep the pocket clean for QB Josh Freeman, who isn’t 100%, to keep Tampa Bay within striking distance. Dallas’ secondary has holes that are easily exposed when blockers keep LB DeMarcus Ware out of the backfield. The Cowboys lost the focal point of their offense, rookie RB DeMarco Murray (broken ankle), last weekend. RB Felix Jones and newly signed Sammy Morris will step in. Murray, averaging 137.4 rushing yards over the Cowboys’ last five victories and on pace to become the franchise’s first 1,000-yard back since 2006, has been placed on injured reserve.
QB Tony Romo should continue to work inside-out, throwing underneath passes to WR Laurent Robinson and TE Jason Witten before winding up for shots to WRs Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.
Tampa Bay seemed to have a budding star on its hands in 2010 in Josh Freeman, who had 25 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. That ratio has dropped to 12 TDs and a league-high 18 interceptions this year. Freeman returned last Sunday after missing a game with an injured throwing shoulder, but the results were disastrous as the Buccaneers fell 41-14 at Jacksonville. Tampa Bay has allowed the most points in the NFC (370) and has lost four times at by least 19.
- RECORD VS. SPREAD — Dallas 4-8-1; Tampa Bay 4-9
- SERIES RECORD — Cowboys leads 11-3
- LAST MEETING — Cowboys beat Buccaneers 34-21, Sept. 13, 2009
- LAST WEEK — Cowboys lost to Giants 37-34; Buccaneers lost to Jaguars 41-14
- COWBOYS OFFENSE — OVERALL (6), RUSH (14), PASS (6)
- COWBOYS DEFENSE — OVERALL (16), RUSH (8), PASS (24)
- BUCCANEERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (18), RUSH (T24), PASS (13)
- BUCCANEERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (29), RUSH (28), PASS (27)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Cowboys have dominated series, winning 11 of 14 meetings. However, Bucs have won two of four games played in Tampa. … Dallas QB Tony Romo 2-0 vs. Tampa Bay, completing 67.9 percent of passes for 659 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 147.2. He threw a career-best five TD passes against Bucs on Thanksgiving Day in 2006. … Cowboys RB Felix Jones returns to lineup, replacing rookie DeMarco Murray, who broke right ankle during opening quarter of last week’s loss to Giants. Jones came off bench to rush for 106 yards, third 100-yard performance of his career. … Dallas TE Jason Witten and WRs Dez Bryant, Mile Austin and Laurent Robinson pose big challenge for Tampa Bay secondary, which hopes to get back injured CB Aqib Talib, who sat most of past two games with sore right hamstring. … Bryant has TDs in three of Cowboys’ past four games; Robinson coming off four-reception, 137-yard, one TD performance against Giants, and Austin had 42-yard TD catch against Tampa Bay when teams last faced each other. … Tampa Bay’s seven-game losing streak matches longest under third-year coach Raheem Morris, who lost to Dallas in his debut as NFL’s youngest coach. … DE Adrian Clayborn one of few bright spots for Tampa Bay defense ranked 29th. First-round draft pick is tied for second among NFC rookies with 6½ sacks.
