Clarence Hill’s 5 things the Dallas Cowboys must do to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Depending the seriousness of the injury to quarterback Dak Prescott, the task ahead for the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday’s season opener against the Tampa Buccaneers just got a little bit tougher.

Prescott was a limited participant in practice Thursday after tweaking his surgically-repaired right ankle. He says he is fine and blamed it on a new pair of cleats.

The Cowboys don’t anticipate in limitations for Prescott on Sunday.

Of course, they wouldn’t admit it at this point.

But let’s take them at their word.

Clarence Hill’s 5 Things the Cowboys need to do to beat the Buccaneers:

Let Dak Prescott be great

The Cowboys built their offensive plan around quarterback Dak Prescott. They need the $40 million quarterback to be the franchise savior and uplift an offense that has questions on the offensive line and receiver, starting Week 1 against Tampa Bay. There can be no limitations to Prescott’s game as a runner and a passer. He will need to make plays with his feet to avoid the pass rush. Hopefully, his ankle will hold up. It should be noted that Prescott is historically very good against Buccaneers. He has completed 94-of-119 (79.0%) passes in three career games against Tampa Bay, the highest percentage of any quarterback vs. an opponent in NFL history.

Run the ball

With three new starters on the offensive line, including first-time starters at left guard and left tackle, the Cowboys plan to lean on the running game and running backs Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott one year after not trying to run the ball at all against Tampa Bay. In 2021, the Cowboys called 58 passes to just 18 runs, conceding the middle of line to the Buccaneers stout front. They must run Sunday. It will help rookie left tackle Tyler Smith, left guard Connor McGovern and right tackle Terence Steele. It is easier for young lineman to run block than pass block. And they can’t have the Tampa Bay rush teeing off on Prescott. The Cowboys will force the run into tight boxes on Sunday.

Limit big plays on defense

The Cowboys led the NFL with 34 turnovers last year and also led the league with five interception returns for touchdowns. But they finished 19th in yards allowed as they Cowboys as unit was average against the run and below average against the pass, largely because they have up too many big plays. It’s a huge point of emphasis heading into 2022. It’s an area that must be improved upon if they truly plan to be dominant defense. Tampa Bay has several game breakers on the outside in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones and Russell Gage. Cornerback Trevon Diggs’ propensity to take chances helped him lead the league 11 interceptions last season. But he gave up a league-leading 1,068 receiving yards. He must play fundamentally sound.

Exploit middle of Tampa Bay line

As much the Cowboys are being questioned about three new starters on the offensive line, the Buccaneers are in the same boat with new starters at center and left guard. One of the ways teams have historically bothered quarterback Tom Brady is with pressure up the middle. The Cowboys are deep at defensive tackle with Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna, Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill all playing in a rotation up front. They gave their own teammates fits in training camp and need to do the same against the Buccaneers. Look for end DeMarcus Lawrence and Dante Fowler to rush for the tackle position on passing downs. Also expect a number middle blitzes from linebackers Micah Parsons and Anthony Barr.

No self-inflicted wounds

Leading into Sunday’s game, the Cowboys put out a note highlighting future Hall of Fame left guard Zack Martin because he has more trips to the Pro Bowl (7) than he has holding penalties (6) in his eight-year career. He is the only active offensive lineman with less holding calls than Pro Bowl selections. It an example of Martin’s greatness but it’s also casts a dubious shadow in the rest of a team that was known by being a penalty-filled mess in 2021. The Cowboys led the league with 127 penalties for 1,103 yards last season. That included 54 penalties on the offensive line, which was the most in the NFL. The Cowboys have to get out of their own way and they can’t put themselves behind the chains in a game when yards will be at a premium.