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| QB Tony Romo is 3-0 against the Bucs with a QB rating of 144.8. (US Presswire) |
Cowboys at the Bucs -- Week 3.
Where: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas (turf, indoors)
When: Sunday, Sept. 23, 1 p.m., ET (Fox)
Spread: Cowboys by 9
Forecast: Indoors
Records: Cowboys (1-1); Buccaneers (1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 17, 2012: Cowboys 31, Bucs 15; Sept. 13, 2009: Cowboys 34, Bucs 21. Series record: Cowboys hold a 12-3 edge
What matters: It’s been quite the turnaround for this team after beating the Giants in Week 1 and then faltering like it did in Seattle last Sunday. The Cowboys were beaten up pretty well last week and some of the players have been defending themselves this week in terms of being a tough team, both mentally and physically. Establishing their will against the Bucs and setting the tone that they can be a physical team as well is an important aspect of Sunday’s game. That usually starts at the line of scrimmage – on both sides.
Who matters: The Cowboys simply need more out of Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. Those two players had one of the worst games of their respective careers, particularly Witten who had uncharacteristic drops last week, as did Bryant, will need to step it up. But the Bucs did yield more than 500 passing yards to the Giants last week, so this could be the perfect matchup for the Cowboys’ passing game to get on track.
Key matchups: Focus on how the Cowboys try to attack the Buccaneers’ wide receivers, particularly with Vincent Jackson and Brandon Carr renewing a rivalry they had when Jackson played in San Diego and Carr in Kansas City. Carr is a big, physical corner who could find himself shadowing Jackson all day. If that happens, don’t forget it means Morris Claiborne is following Mike Williams around as well. The Bucs have some bigger receivers but this is why the Cowboys signed Carr and drafted Claiborne. And Mike Jenkins could get more playing time at corner this week, too.
Injuries of note: The Cowboys will likely be without starting safety Gerald Sensabaugh who has a strained calf and listed as doubtful. Danny McCray would make his first NFL start. The defensive line is also taking a hit with Kenyon Coleman (knee) and Jay Ratliff (ankle) ruled out of the game, which means more playing time for Sean Lissemore and rookie Tyrone Crawford, as well as Marcus Spears in the starting lineup.
Inside stuff: Tony Romo is 3-0 against the Bucs as a starter with a whopping QB rating of 144.8. Not only have the Cowboys averaged 36 points per game in three easy wins over the Bucs with Romo as the starter, but he’s thrown 11 touchdowns with no interceptions in those games.
Stat you should know: Since Cowboys Stadium opened in 2009, the Cowboys own a 13-11 record in home games, including a dismal 7-9 record the past two seasons. The Bucs will be playing their first game in Cowboys Stadium. Tampa Bay has actually only won one game in Dallas in franchise history, beating the Cowboys in the 2001 opener, 10-6.
Looking ahead: The Cowboys get to stay at home for a second straight week and will have an extra day to prepare before the Bears come to town for a Monday Night Football game on Oct. 1. The Cowboys will need to get a win over Chicago before heading into the bye week. After that, it’s four of five on the road, against teams such as Baltimore, Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia.
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