NFL Playoffs – Football: The Brady Magic vs. Team America

Follow the Cowboys-Buccaneers duel, Monday from 7:30 p.m. with the Blitz pre-game show on RDS and RDS.ca.

Every year it’s the same question. Is this Tom Brady’s final playoff run? Let’s say that this season, the question wouldn’t even have been asked if it weren’t for the fact that the Bucs were playing in the worst division in the NFL. With a negative record, can the Bucs surprise the Dallas Cowboys (12-5)?

Thanks mainly to their ground game from the Pollard-Elliott duo, the Boys have been hounding the Eagles all season in an attempt to secure the top spot in their division. It was in the pass that the situation was much less glorious. Dak Prescott led the league in steals despite being out five games and had at least one pass grab in his last seven games. Fortunately, the Bucs have managed just 10 interceptions this season, for 24th in the league. Prescott will have to manage the ball better not to open the door for old Tom.

It’s not much brighter on the side of the Tampa Bay attack, however. A meager 25th in points scored and last in rushing yards. Against the defensive line that has the third-most sacks in 2022 and the defensive unit that has allowed the fifth-fewest points, Tom Brady and his offensive line will need to be at their best. His best in series, that’s what we know of Brady. Given time, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, TB12 could overshadow the Bucs’ disappointing regular-season record and perpetuate Dallas’ playoff woes. And what about Leonard Fournette. His 2022 season was exceedingly disappointing, so his only game over 100 rushing yards came in Week 1…against the Cowboys!

The experience is obviously on the side of Tampa Bay with Brady and the poor performance of the Cowboys against the Commanders is cause for concern. A week doesn’t make a season, and that’s exactly what Cowboys fans will say loud and clear when they talk about their first-ever loss to the Bucs.

In Vegas, the Cowboys are a three-point favorite over the Bucs, but many observers seem to believe Tampa Bay has the upper hand. So, the Cowboys’ regular season record or even old Tom’s magic? Can you really bet against Brady?

Prediction: I take a chance, Cowboys win 24-21