NFL

• Cowboys 31, Buccaneers 14
  • The Cowboys have a maddening level of inconsistency, but this was an impressive performance, even though Tampa Bay won just eight games this season. For Dallas to win the Super Bowl, Dak Prescott needs to be at his best, and he was in this contest, throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Micah Parsons had a great game, as well, as the star linebacker was all over the field. The Cowboys will have a tough time winning in Santa Clara on Sunday evening, but this was an encouraging performance, nonetheless.
  • The Bucs’ future looks pretty bleak at the moment. I have my doubts that Tom Brady, a free agent this offseason, will return. Brady, to no surprise given his advanced age, isn’t the same quarterback he used to be, but Todd Bowles’ team would be lost without him. Tampa Bay has zero running game, and the organization’s best receivers appear to be in decline. The cupboard isn’t bare on the offensive line, but that doesn’t matter much if the team can’t create offense. On defense, Tampa Bay definitely has a few dudes, but one of its better players, Lavonte David, turns 33 in six days. Jason Licht will need to recalibrate this roster to get the team back on track, and as I mentioned, he might have to do so without a Hall of Fame quarterback.