NFL 2016 Game of the Week Preview, Week 15: Cowboys vs Buccaneers

(photo credit: buccaneers.com)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) will travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys (11-2) at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night. Dallas has already clinched a spot in the playoffs, but they still have to lock up the division, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage in the playoffs. Dallas has the best record in the NFC, and they’re tied with New England for the best record in the league.

Both of the Cowboys losses this season have come to the New York Giants. Last week, they were defeated by the Giants, 10-7. Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has been fantastic all season long, but he’s struggled recently. Last week’s game was the first time Prescott threw multiple interceptions in the same game. The Mississippi State alum has failed to reach 200 passing yards in each of his last three games. Dallas has scored 24 points in their last two games.

The Cowboys backup is Tony Romo, but Head Coach Jason Garrett seems adamant about keeping Prescott in as the starter. The Cowboys magic number to secure the NFC’s number one seed is two with three games left. Under rookie Head Coach Dirk Koetter, Tampa has won five straight games. This is Tampa’s longest unbeaten streak since 2002. The resurgent Buccaneers are tied with Atlanta atop the NFC South. Tampa controls its own postseason destiny as they currently sit in the second wild-card spot. Tampa’s defense has gotten them to this point.

Tampa has given up a league-low 12.8 points per game since Week 10. The team has allowed the fewest touchdowns since Week 10 (6). The offense has struggled, as they’ve scored just six touchdowns in their last four games. Tampa defeated Dallas 10-6 last season in Tampa.