Week 1 showdown between Buccaneers, Cowboys could be potential playoff preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open up their 2022 regular season in prime time, this time heading on the road for a rematch with last year’s Week 1 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday night’s NFC showdown:

Chris Godwin’s return?

One of Tampa Bay's Pro Bowl pass-catchers went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 last year, but Godwin has worked his way back from surgery at lightning speed.

He's still wearing a non-contact jersey at practice, but he's been going through team drills, and shed his knee brace earlier this week. Godwin told the media Thursday he expects to be a game-time decision Sunday night, and his return would be a huge boost for the Tampa Bay offense.

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Banged-Up blockers

Both quarterbacks in this matchup will want to get rid of the ball quickly, considering who's missing on each of their offensive lines.

For the Bucs, Tom Brady will be breaking in an entirely new interior from last year's group.

Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen is on injured reserve, replaced by Robert Hainsey. Rookie second-round pick Luke Goedeke replaces the retired Ali Marpet at left guard, while Shaq Mason takes over Alex Cappa's guard spot on the right side. Dak Prescott will be without his All-Pro left tackle in Tyron Smith, an injury that forced the team to sign 40-year-old Jason Peters off the street. The Cowboys have a rookie of their own in the starting lineup in first-round pick Tyler Smith, as well.

Playoff implications

Playoffs?! You wanna talk about playoffs?

In Week 1? Well, both of these teams have realistic postseason aspirations, and if things get tight down the stretch, one of the most important tie-breakers is conference record.

This might be the season opener, but a win here could end up being the difference between making the playoffs or staying home, or perhaps getting a higher seed and more home playoff games.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs

Evans has been one of the most consistently dominant pass-catchers in the NFL, setting a league record with eight straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career. Nobody has more touchdown catches than Evans since he entered the league in 2014, and he's primed for another big year in 2022.

He'll face a tough test right out of the gate, though. Diggs was an absolute ballhawk last season, leading the NFL with 11 interceptions. Anytime these two face off Sunday night, it'll be must-see TV.

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons vs. Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs

Two of the best young stars at their respective positions, Parsons is coming off a dominant rookie season that saw him earn unanimous Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, and he was also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.

Though he came into the league as primarily an off-ball linebacker, Parsons did most of his damage as a pass rusher off the edge last year. That means he'll be matched up plenty Sunday night with Wirfs, who earned first-team All-Pro honors in just his second NFL season last year.

He'll have his hands full anytime Parsons lines up across from him, and whoever wins this matchup could have a massive impact on who wins the game.

Bucs CB Carlton Davis III vs. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

Amari Cooper is gone, and Michael Gallup is still working his way back from a season-ending knee injury. That means even more pressure on Lamb, the unquestioned No. 1 target in the Cowboys' passing offense. He's more than up to the task, though, as one of the most dynamic young playmakers in the league. Across from him for much of the night will likely be Davis, who was rewarded this offseason with a hefty three-year extension that kept him in Tampa Bay. He gets an early opportunity to prove he was worth the money, as he gets a chance to shut down Lamb and force Dak Prescott to look elsewhere.

Prediction

Last year’s edition of this matchup was a classic, with the Bucs getting a vintage Brady drive in the final minutes, and a last-second field goal to seal the win at home.

They’ll have to face the unfriendly confines of Arlington this time around, but Tampa Bay has proven they can win just about anywhere.

Both teams have key injuries and offseason departures they’ll have to overcome, and it could once again come down to who gets the ball last. My money’s still on the GOAT, who once again leads the Bucs to a narrow victory.

Bucs 34, Cowboys 27

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Buccaneers at Cowboys could be preview of two playoff teams