The Dallas Cowboys finish off a grueling, tiresome stretch of three games in 11 days when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys (2-2), who coming off a thrilling comeback victory against the Houston Texans just four days ago, should be energized because they have a chance to begin a two-game winning streak with a winless Buccaneers team on deck.
But it has been a tough 11-day stretch, which began on Sept. 27 in a 34-30 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an international game Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that featured a 10-hour flight each way). They then traveled to face Texans on a relatively short week as they didn’t return from Brazil until Monday and had two days off before resuming practice on Wednesday.
Now, four days after the win in Houston, they host the Buccaneers.
Now following the game, the Cowboys receive an extended mini-bye over the weekend before returning to practice before facing the Green Back Packers on Oct. 18.
But the team is tired now after all the travel and mentally spent with both the Ravens and Texans games being decided in the final moments.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys’ staff adjusted by scaling back full-speed practice reps, providing sleep studies, and encouraging extra physical therapy.
“They’re tired but we still have, you know, a couple of days before the game. I think the intensity and the meetings, though, have been great. They’re dialed in, but they’re tired,” Schottenheimer said. “They’re sore. You should be, less than 36, 40 hours after playing a physical football game with a lot of emotion and traveling and. But, we’ll be fine. We’ll be ready to roll.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said his gas tank is full for Thursday.
“Oh, it’s gonna be 100. It’s gonna be 100,” Prescott said. “That’s how much I love this game, how much I put in this game throughout my life. Through the offseason, you prepare and you condition, and you do a lot of things for these type of moments.
“At the end of the day, you’re getting to play the game that you’re blessed to play, and that you’re so fortunate to play, whether it be on a short week or back to back. If I had to play today, yeah, it might not be ideal, but I’d find a way, and I’d be 100%. And that starts with just a mentality and your preparation. So, we’ve got three days. It’s not like it’s new to anybody in the league, so we’ll get ourselves together.”
Five Things to Watch
Tyler Smith should be back
All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith will make his season debut against the Tampa Buccaneers after undergoing thumb surgery in the preseason and missing the first four games on injured reserve. Smith is the Cowboys best offensive lineman and return to anchor the left side of the line next to left tackle Tyler Guyton. The Cowboys are activating Smith from injured reserve after opening his practice window Monday. He will wear a cast on his thumb for extra protection, and he side his conditioning is fine thanks to the work he has done with the athletic training and strength staffs. Smith, who has made three Pro Bowls in his first four seasons, should help an offense that is averaging 30.5 points a game but is struggling a bit in run blocking. The Cowboys are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry in the run game.
Containing another running QB
The Cowboys have the clear at advantage at quarterback with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels starting in place of the injured Baker Mayfield. The Cowboys pass defense might get finally get fat and get its first interception in seven games, dating back to last season. But one thing to monitor is Daniels’ mobility. Running quarterbacks have given the Cowboys fits all season. The Cowboys allowed 54 rushing yards to Jaxson Dart, 69 to Jayden Daniels, and 50 to Lamar Jackson. Daniels had eight careers for 54 yards in his first career start last week vs. the Packers.
Bigger load for Joey Porter
Cornerback Joey Porter got 25 snaps in last weeks win vs. the Texans after practicing just two days with the team. He was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh Steelers late last Wednesday. Look for him to get a bigger load as the boundary cornerback against the Buccaneers. He is more comfortable in the scheme and with they are asking him to do. “I feel like there are no limits to what you can do with me on the football field,” Porter said. “At the end of the day, I feel like I’m a ball player. With that, I feel like I can go anywhere and do what I do.”
Pickens time to shine
Is the game that the Cowboys get a breakout performance from George Pickens. He has yet to score a touchdown as defensive has been focused on preventing him from making the big play, allowing felling receiver CeeDee Lamb to shine in single coverage. Pickens has 18 receptions for 225 yards in four games of a season that he hopes will cement his big for a big-money contract in free agency or with he Cowboys. The good news that Pickens is not sulking and he knows he is responsible for Lamb’s success and that of the offense. The Cowboys also know his time is coming and it could be against the Buccaneers.
A chance to get on a roll
The Cowboys can extend their win streak to two-games with a win against the Buccaneers. They will then have 10-days off before facing the Packers, who is now without their two best defensive players in Micah Parsons and Edgerrin Cooper before a matchup against a reeling Philadelphia Eagles team that saw the best offensive lineman in team history in Lane Johnson retire after four games. A four-game win streak is possible. It’s there for the taking. But the Cowboys must take care of the Buccaneers first.
