Buccaneers overcome sloppy play for narrow win over Cowboys

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2020 but survived a sloppy performance against the Cowboys on opening night in 2021. 

The festive scene, the raising of the banner, it was the final night of remembrance and reflection for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their Super Bowl season. With a new season comes a new set of challenges, and Tampa Bay completed the first of many with a 31-29 win over the Dallas Cowboys on opening night, a win, albeit sloppy.

Following the dropping of the banner and the celebrations, Tampa Bay entered their home field with a new sense of confidence, the same field where seven months ago, they became the first team to win the big game on their home field, a 31-9 win in Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, their current road to a potential repeat got off to a very rocky start, allowing a team like Dallas, fresh off a 6-10 season, to come in looking for the upset and play admirably and ultimately come up short. In fairness, they did hold Cowboys rookie Osa Odighizuwa, who called out Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, in check.

Despite much of the game’s optics, Brady had his moments, throwing for 379 yards and four touchdowns. However, he did throw two interceptions that contributed to a rough start and was grateful that Dallas kicker Greg Zuerlein was off, missing a couple of field goals that could have changed the game. Additionally, Brady looked off quite a bit, as did his receiving core with key drops and fumbles.

On the other hand, Dak Prescott, whom we are all glad to see back on the football field after the horrific injury that took him out last season, looked strong himself with an astonishing 403 yards and three touchdowns. Also, the poise he showed and the ability to scan the field and make plays was extremely impressive.

However, despite the statistics, Prescott and the Cowboys benefitted from several penalties and turnovers that Tampa Bay committed, and the Buccaneers’ defense simply not playing up to what they were headlined to be. In the end, however, it came down to Tampa kicker Ryan Succop, and he delivered, sending Tampa Bay to 1-0, albeit a fortunate 1-0.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are serious about repeating as champions, but like every time a champion goes for two, the road will not be easy.

It’s only Week 1, and generally speaking, the first game of the regular season doesn’t always dictate how the rest of the season will pan out. However, more often than not, it’s always good to get off to a good start, especially for a team like Tampa Bay that has the highest of expectations, and why would they not have them, given what they just accomplished?

For the first time in quite a long time, a Super Bowl champion team returns all 22 starters. Given how the results have been rather mixed for those who bring everyone back, the Buccaneers have a lot to live up to; it’s a new feeling for a franchise that historically has struggled now stands as the team with the biggest target.

Keep in mind, though; it’s no longer 16 games in the regular season; it’s 17 games. In other words, no team will finish with a 0.500 record. Additionally, the margin of error is razor-thin, regardless of who is on the roster and the competition. In other words, resting on laurels is merely a recipe for complacency, a recipe that yields unfavorable results, especially in sports.

Please make no mistake about it; this was a wake-up call, resulting in a fortunate1-0 start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A good way to kick off a journey towards a potential repeat. Still, nothing is set in stone except for 17 guaranteed regular-season games, and even that may not be guaranteed given COVID protocols. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay won the game, but they have plenty to fix.