Projected starters
BUCS OFFENSE
WR: Vincent Jackson
LT: Donald Penn
LG: Carl Nicks
C: Jeremy Zuttah
RG: Ted Larsen
RT: Demar Dotson
TE: Dallas Clark
WR: Mike Williams
QB: Josh Freeman
RB: Doug Martin
FB: Erik Lorig
DEFENSE
LDE: Michael Bennett
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Roy Miller
RDE: Adrian Clayborn
SLB: Quincy Black
MLB: Mason Foster
WLB: Lavonte David
CB: Aqib Talib
CB: Eric Wright
SS: Mark Barron
FS: Ronde Barber
special teams
PR: Jordan Shipley
KR: Arrelious Benn
PK: Connor Barth
P/KO: Michael Koenen
Cowboys OFFENSE
WR: Dez Bryant
LT: Tyron Smith
LG: Nate Livings
C: Ryan Cook
RG: Mackenzy Bernadeau
RT: Doug Free
TE: Jason Witten
WR: Miles Austin
QB: Tony Romo
FB: Lawrence Vickers
RB: DeMarco Murray
Defense
DE: Tyrone Crawford
NT: Josh Brent
DE: Jason Hatcher
LB: Anthony Spencer
LB: Dan Connor
LB: Sean Lee
LB: DeMarcus Ware
CB: Brandon Carr
CB: Morris Claiborne
SS: Barry Church
FS: Danny McCray
Special teams
PR: Dez Bryant
KR: Felix Jones
P: Chris Jones
PK/KO: Dan Bailey
Injury report
BUCS: Out — CB Anthony Gaitor (hamstring). Probable — CB E.J. Biggers (foot), LB Quincy Black (back), DE Adrian Clayborn (not injury related), T Jeremy Trueblood (ankle), CB Eric Wright (back).
Cowboys: Out — LB Alex Albright (neck), DT Kenyon Coleman (knee), C Phil Costa (back), S Matt Johnson (hamstring), NT Jay Ratliff (ankle). Doubtful — S Gerald Sensabaugh (calf). Questionable — DE Marcus Spears (knee). Probable — WR Miles Austin (hamstring), S Barry Church (quadriceps), WR Andre Holmes (knee), CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), LB Sean Lee (hip), LB DeMarcus Ware (hamstring), LB Kyle Wilber (thumb), TE Jason Witten (abdomen).
Stat pack
1 p.m., Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas | TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Cowboys by 8; 46
Rushing yards
passing yards
total yards
Rushing yards allowed
passing yards allowed
total yards allowed
Bucs
Cowboys
104.5 (t16th)
96.0 (21st)
52.0 (3rd)
132.0 (23rd)
178.0 (29th)
268.5 (6th)
282.5 (29th)
364.5 (11th)
400.5 (32nd)
160.0 (3rd)
452.5 (31st)
292.0 (9th)
The Cowboys are happily playing their home opener today after going literally coast to coast (New York to Seattle) for their first two games. The Bucs have a challenge similar to last week because Dallas has a talented front line, including star pass rusher DeMarcus Ware. Dallas also has a formidable lineup of offensive skill-position players, including RB DeMarco Murray and WR Dez Bryant.
Cowboys' top offensive player
QB Tony Romo, maligned as he may be, is one of the very best. His 153 TD passes since 2006 ranks sixth among active players and he has the second-best career passer rating (96.6) in history.
Cowboys' top defensive player
When Bucs coach Greg Schiano cued up Cowboys tape last week, LB DeMarcus Ware jumped off the screen. With 101½ career sacks, the six-time Pro Bowl pick has a chance to top the Cowboys' all-time sack list by season's end.
What the Cowboys do best
While it wasn't evident last week in a loss to Seattle, the Cowboys have a quick-strike offense that can surprise defenses. If Romo has sufficient time for routes to develop, he has numerous big-play options to throw to. After giving up 510 passing yards to the Giants last week, this is a problem for the Bucs.
How you beat the Cowboys
The Seahawks put the blueprint for this on tape last week, dominating time of possession 34:39 to 25:21. That helps neutralize Dallas' offensive firepower and keeps its stars on the sideline. The Bucs have to run effectively to pull this off.
The Bucs must avoid
An early deficit would make the Bucs one-dimensional. Given their struggles running last week, they need to show some more consistency in this area.
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Bucs 25
Loading...