Top storylines heading into Monday night’s playoff game
On Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Dallas Cowboys in a rematch Week 1 from each of the previous two regular seasons. The goal is to advance to Round 2 of the NFL playoffs.
Here are the top storylines heading into Monday night’s wild-card game:
Prime-Time Rematch
Kevin Jairaj – USA TODAY Sports
This matchup was guaranteed to air on prime-time and reach a national audience as soon as it was set in stone. These teams have faced off in Week 1 of the regular season each of the past two years, as “America’s Team” and Tom Brady continue to draw truckloads of attention when they’re on the same field.
The Bucs won both regular-season matchups. A 31-29 shootout with a last-second field goal at Tampa in 2021 and an Arlington victory of 19-3 in 2022 were the Bucs’ victories. It won’t matter what the score is this time. But you can bet that the Cowboys will take revenge for the third game that has the highest stakes.
Perfection with the Goat
(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images).
Tom Brady has faced the Cowboys seven times during his legendary 23-year NFL career, and he’s never come out on the losing side. As mentioned above, two of those victories have come since he departed New England for Tampa Bay, and he’ll be looking to keep that perfect record in tact after this playoff installment.
Brady’s been in the league so long, the first time he beat the Cowboys in 2003, Quincy Carter tossed three interceptions as the Dallas quarterback. Brady will no doubt be hoping for that performance from Dak Preston on Monday night.
Brady’s Last Ride
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Speaking of the GOAT, if the Bucs can’t pull off the win (they’re home underdogs) in this one, it could be the last game of Brady’s career. Though he’s obviously remained focused on the task at hand, that hasn’t stopped rumors and reports from swirling all season long regarding his football future.
He’s got a hefty contract waiting for him at Fox Sports whenever he’s ready to hang up his cleats, but after setting more NFL records this season and finishing third in the league in passing yards, would it really be all that shocking to see him return next season?
If he plays in 2023, which is rumored to be the case, it seems that he will stay in Tampa Bay for at least another year.
Injury Updates
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images).
The Bucs are as healthy as they’ve been all season, with nobody on the active roster being ruled out for Monday’s game as of the final injury reports Saturday. Nick Leverett (offensive lineman) is listed as questionable with shoulder and knee injuries. If he can’t play, the Bucs will be down their starting left guard, and backup center, which isn’t ideal considering the state of Tampa Bay’s depth in the offensive trenches.
There will likely be key starters on both sides of the ball playing through injuries at less than 100 percent, and there’s still an outside chance that Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen could be activated from injured reserve in time for the game, after missing the entire regular season with a knee injury.