Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Cowboys
Tuesday, January 17th, 2023
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It ended with a whimper. The season, and perhaps an era.
The 2022 Bucs bowed out passively and decisively Monday evening, run over 31-14 by America’s Team as a national TV audience witnessed a public beatdown. It was the only game of the wild-card round that wasn’t competitive, at least for a long stretch, and the extent of the drubbing gives the Glazers much to think about in the next few weeks.
Give the Cowboys credit — except for kicker Brett Maher they played a terrific game. They rolled up 26 first downs and each of their first four TD drives covered at least 80 yards. The Bucs were guilty of busted coverages, poor tackling and not nearly enough pressure against Dak Prescott, who nervously started 0-for-3 and then completed 25 of his final 30 pass attempts.
The other side of the ball was equally depressing for Buc Nation. In throwing a career-high 66 passes, Tom Brady played poorly, averaging only 5.3 yards per pass attempt. The run game, used sparingly, provided little help.
Brady thanked the local media after the game in what some are interpreting as a signal he has thrown his final pass as a Buccaneer. What we know for a fact is the Cowboys are headed for San Francisco and Brady is headed to his family and support team as he contemplates retirement.
Should Brady desire to play next fall, he might look at Tampa Bay’s 8-10 record and decide this team isn’t good enough to compete for a championship next season.
Ownership could think likewise. It was that kind of night.
Here’s how Big D made the Bucs look small: (more…)
