Dak Prescott scores 5 touchdowns as Cowboys wallop Bucs in NFC wild-card matchup

Dak Prescott was almost flawless and the protection stepped as much as the problem because the Dallas Cowboys defeated Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night time, 31-14.

Prescott appeared to reverse the misfortune of final season’s playoff loss to placed on a dominant efficiency in opposition to the Buccaneers’ protection that was ninth in yards allowed and thirteenth in factors allowed through the common season. He obtained off to a sizzling begin with a 22-yard landing move to Dalton Schultz within the first quarter and by no means seemed again from there.

The former Mississippi State standout ran for a landing on the objective line to cap off a 15-play drive within the second quarter and adopted up with one other landing move to Schultz to take an 18-0 lead into the half. He grew to become the primary Cowboys quarterback to finish 11 consecutive passes, in line with ESPN Stats & Info.

Brett Maher one way or the other missed three consecutive extra-point makes an attempt – and later a fourth after Prescott discovered Michael Gallup for a landing within the third quarter. But the particular groups miscues happily didn’t hinder Dallas’ efficiency on the night time.

Dallas Cowboys tight finish Dalton Schultz (86) vies for the catch in opposition to Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) through the second half of an NFL wild-card soccer sport, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. 
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

To put the dagger into the guts of the Buccaneers, Prescott threw his fourth landing move to CeeDee Lamb within the fourth quarter to make it 31-6.

Prescott completed 25-of-33 with 305 passing yards and 4 landing passes. He had 25 speeding yards and a speeding landing. Schultz led the Cowboys with seven catches for 95 yards and two scores.

Dallas would cease Brady and the Buccaneers from attempting to exert some stress. The group solely allowed a 30-yard landing move to Julio Jones on the finish of the third and a landing to Cameron Brate within the fourth quarter.

Brady threw an interception within the pink zone to Jayron Kearse. It was Brady’s first red-zone interception since he joined the Buccaneers. He then turned the ball over on downs within the pink zone within the fourth quarter.

Brady completed 35-of-66 with 351 passing yards and two landing passes. Chris Godwin led the Buccaneers with 10 catches for 85 yards. Jones had seven catches for 74 yards.

Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes the ball for a landing through the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff soccer sport in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
(Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

TOM BRADY IRKS NFL FANS WITH APPARENT SLIDE-TACKLE ATTEMPT ON COWBOYS PLAYER

Dallas will transfer on to play the San Francisco 49ers within the divisional spherical. The Cowboys haven’t gotten to the NFC Championship because the 1995 season – the final time the group received the Super Bowl.

Tampa Bay enters the offseason with a cloudy future.

Brady is ready free of charge company once more as he ponders the potential for enjoying one other season for probably one other group or retirement. He hasn’t mentioned in some way.

There are reportedly a number of groups curious about Brady’s companies for the 2023 season regardless of him turning 46 years outdated. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport defined the potential choices Brady has earlier than him on Sunday.

“Tom Brady is a free agent after this season. He will probably be 46 years outdated and I might say there’s an opportunity he doesn’t return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers even supposing they very a lot need him again and plant to make efforts towards that,” Rapoport defined.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) works below stress in opposition to Dallas Cowboys through the first half of an NFL wild-card soccer sport, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

The NFL insider added that Brady might very properly discover a new touchdown spot if Tampa Bay isn’t in his future.

“Among the groups that will think about Brady, a few them who thought of Brady the final time,” he mentioned. “The Tennessee Titans nonetheless have some quarterback questions there. The 49ers if they don’t resolve to rock with Brock Purdy – he’s actually stating his case. And the Las Vegas Raiders, who’ve a number of of his outdated buddies, together with Josh McDaniels.”

There’s nonetheless loads to be determined for Tampa Bay.