Momentum can change in a short time within the NFL. Per week in the past, the Dallas Cowboys have been 1-2 and coming off a heartbreaking last-second defeat in Brazil. Now they’re again at .500 after a dramatic 34-30 comeback victory over the Houston Texans, and have a chance to maneuver above .500 on Thursday Night time Soccer.
Standing of their means are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however we have now some causes to be constructive this week.
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Tampa Bay arrives at AT&T Stadium at 0-4, with out its beginning quarterback and with out among the finest gamers on its protection. In the meantime, Dak Prescott is taking part in a few of the finest soccer within the league, CeeDee Lamb is totally on fireplace, and Javonte Williams simply scored three touchdowns.
The most important cause for confidence stays Dak Prescott. By way of 4 video games, Prescott has thrown for 1,065 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception whereas finishing 70% of his passes.
He has now gone three straight video games with out throwing an interception. That issues with the Cowboys having scored not less than 31 factors in every of their final three video games.
On the alternative facet, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield won’t play due to a thumb damage. As a substitute, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will make solely his second NFL begin. Daniels accomplished 19 of 27 passes in opposition to Inexperienced Bay final week however managed solely 148 passing yards. He additionally threw two interceptions and was sacked 3 times.
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Now he has to make his second begin on the highway at AT&T Stadium on a brief week. Dallas ought to make that as uncomfortable as attainable.
Famous person receiver CeeDee Lamb is coming off an unbelievable 17-catch, 189-yard efficiency in opposition to Houston. He now has 498 receiving yards by way of 4 video games. Making that matchup even higher for Dallas is the absence of Antoine Winfield Jr, one in every of Tampa Bay’s finest defensive gamers. With out him within the secondary, Prescott ought to have alternatives to assault with Lamb, Jake Ferguson and George Pickens.
Javonte Williams is one other large cause to be constructive for Cowboys followers. He scored three dashing touchdowns in opposition to Houston and now has 4 dashing scores over the past two video games. This reveals that Dallas doesn’t want Prescott throwing 45 occasions each week. Utilizing Williams can assist management the clock and defend the quarterback.
The Buccaneers have already allowed 16 sacks in 4 video games. Dallas has struggled to complete pressures with sacks this season, however it is a good matchup for the go rush to lastly break by way of and get some momentum. If Quinnen Williams and the defensive entrance could make Daniels uncomfortable, errors ought to comply with together with a a number of sacks.
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The Cowboys are lastly again at AT&T Stadium after taking part in in Brazil after which travelling to Houston. Dallas received its solely true house recreation up to now this season, beating Washington 37-20 in wholesome trend. That setting needs to be troublesome for a rookie quarterback making solely his second profession begin.
The Buccaneers are 0-4, however each one in every of their video games have been aggressive. They misplaced 33-27 to Cincinnati, 23-19 to Cleveland, 23-16 to Minnesota, then misplaced 17-14 to Inexperienced Bay. The constructive right here for Dallas is that Tampa Bay hasn’t proven it could possibly end these shut video games, however Dallas simply did.
The Cowboys have been behind late in Houston, took the soccer with 2:15 remaining and drove down the sector for the profitable landing. One staff has simply proved it could possibly end. The opposite remains to be searching for its first win.
Tampa can be with out its beginning quarterback, and star defensive participant, plus early follow studies have listed cornerback Benjamin Morrison and linebacker SirVocea Dennis as non-participants. Rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter was additionally restricted with a knee damage.
For Dallas, Tyler Smith is again in follow, so issues are trying up. That is so much right here that is massively constructive heading into Thursday Night time Soccer.
