Brady, Buccaneers look to overcome subpar season by eliminating Cowboys on Monday night

After winning the NFC South for the second year in a row, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in the playoffs for the third straight year, hosting the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the postseason.

Here’s everything you need to know about Monday night’s wild-card matchup:

TOP STORYLINES

Prime-time rematch

As soon as this matchup was locked in, it was destined for a prime-time slot and a national audience.

These teams have faced off in Week 1 of the regular season each of the past two years, as “America’s Team” and Tom Brady continue to draw truckloads of attention when they’re on the same field.

The Bucs won both of those regular-season matchups, a 31-29 shootout on a last-second field goal in Tampa in 2021, and a 19-3 victory in Arlington in 2022.

None of that will matter this time around, but you get bet the Cowboys will be out for revenge it this third tilt that carries the highest stakes.

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GOAT Perfection

Tom Brady has faced the Cowboys seven times during his legendary 23-year NFL career, and he’s never come out on the losing side.

As mentioned above, two of those victories have come since he departed New England for Tampa Bay, and he’ll be looking to keep that perfect record in tact after this playoff installment.

Brady’s been in the league so long, the first time he beat the Cowboys in 2003, Quincy Carter tossed three interceptions as the Dallas quarterback.

Brady will certainly be hoping for that kind of performance from Dak Prescott on Monday night.

Brady’s Last Ride?

Speaking of the GOAT, if the Bucs can’t pull off the win (they’re home underdogs) in this one, it could be the last game of Brady’s career.

Though he’s obviously remained focused on the task at hand, that hasn’t stopped rumors and reports from swirling all season long regarding his football future.

He’s got a hefty contract waiting for him at Fox Sports whenever he’s ready to hang up his cleats, but after setting more NFL records this season and finishing third in the league in passing yards, would it really be all that shocking to see him return next season?

If he does play in 2023, despite speculation to the contrary, staying in Tampa Bay for another year seems like the most likely scenario.

Injury Updates

The Bucs are as healthy as they’ve been all season, with only veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph (knee) and offensive lineman Nick Leverett (knee/shoulder) being completely held out of practice for any day this week.

The rest of the team has practiced in some capacity, which bodes well for the Bucs’ chances of getting a big win and advancing to the next round.

There will likely be key starters on both sides of the ball playing through injuries at less than 100 percent, and there’s still an outside chance that Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen could be activated from injured reserve in time for the game, after missing the entire regular season with a knee injury.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs

Evans posterized Diggs back in Week 1, and you can bet he’ll relish the chance to make up for it this time around.

The rest of Dallas’ secondary is fairly banged up at the moment, so Diggs might have to split his time between Evans and Chris Godwin.

That said, when these two do line up across from each other, especially in the red zone, it’ll be must-see TV.

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons vs. Bucs OT Tristan Wirfs

Two of the NFL’s best young superstars at their respective positions, Parsons and Wirfs should be one of the most entertaining matchups of the entire playoff weekend.

Wirfs is already a two-time All-Pro in three seasons, and Parsons was last year’s unanimous NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Both have been playing through injuries lately, but they should still be fun to watch Monday night.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb vs. Bucs CBs Carlton Davis III & Jamel Dean

Dak Prescott hasn’t had all of his targets at full strength all year long, but Lamb still gives him a dangerous weapon who can score on every play.

The Bucs have the corners to keep him in check, but both Davis and Dean have been dealing with injuries lately, so they might not be 100 percent for this matchup.

Lamb will have to make big plays down the field, and he’s particularly dangerous after the catch, so the tackling ability of these two corners will be vital in containing him.

Bucs QB Tom Brady vs. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

They won’t be on the field at the same time, but make no mistake, these two quarterbacks know they’re battling against one another.

Both have had impressive stretches of play this season, as well as moments filled with head-scratching throws, poor decisions, and costly turnovers.

Football is the ultimate team game, how these two quarterbacks play Monday night will likely be the deciding factor in the game.

Prediction

The Cowboys have obviously been the better team overall this season, but the Bucs are getting healthier at the right time, and they proved in Week 1 that they’re capable of beating this Dallas team at less than full strength.

Tampa Bay will get the added boost of being at home this time around, and Bucs fans are sure to make the most of scoring a home playoff game despite a lackluster regular season.

As usual, this one probably comes down to which quarterback makes the fewest mistakes, and nobody’s better at that than Brady, especially on the playoff stage.

Bucs 23, Cowboys 20

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Tampa Bay Buccaneers host Dallas Cowboys in Monday Night Football playoff