Buccaneers at Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones keeps opening the door to a quarterback controversy on his team, but no one else seems to be biting. There is no controversy on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are closing in on a playoff spot behind Jameis Winston as they prepare to visit the NFC-leading Cowboys on Sunday.
Rookie Dak Prescott took the quarterback job when Tony Romo was hurt in the preseason and ran with it, guiding Dallas to 11 wins in the first 12 games before matching his interception total from those first 12 games with two in a 10-7 loss at the rival New York Giants last week. "This is the Dallas Cowboys. There has been noise ever since I have been drafted," Prescott told reporters. "So nothing really changes. I don't think they need to come in and reinstate their confidence in me. They know the person I am. I'm going to keep working and get better." The Buccaneers are winners of five straight to pull into the No. 6 spot in the NFC, a half-game ahead of the Washington Redskins and one game clear of the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. Tampa Bay is tied with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South and is staring at a tough close to the regular season with a trip to New Orleans and a home game against the Carolina Panthers after the visit to Dallas.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Cowboys -7. O/U: 46.5
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (8-5): Winston is drawing raves for his leadership during Tampa Bay's winning streak but could use more from top receiver Mike Evans, who was limited to 80 yards without a touchdown in the last two games. "I'm a little disappointed in my performances, but I'm always disappointed in my performances, even when I have good games to the naked eye," Evans told reporters. "This is a good opportunity for me against a great team and to help my team win this game." The Bucs could get some help on the other side of the ball from defensive back Chris Conte, who missed the last two games with a chest injury but returned to practice this week.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (11-2): Jones clarified his comments on Thursday and backed Prescott while still expressing his admiration for Romo. "We completely support Dak as our starting quarterback unequivocally, so that's that," Jones told reporters. "And there's no issue there at all. We're very fortunate -- and I've said that -- that we have depth there. And you certainly have got depth in a big way when you got Tony Romo sitting there, and that's not trying to be cute." The quarterback on defense, linebacker Sean Lee, recorded a season-high 18 tackles in Sunday's loss but is limited in practice this week due to a knee injury and is questionable for Sunday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Buccaneers WR Adam Humphries (concussion) cleared the league's protocol and returned to practice after sitting out last week's game.
2. Dallas WR Dez Bryant (back) was held to one catch on nine targets last week and is limited in practice.
3. Tampa Bay DT Gerald McCoy (foot) continues to miss practice time but has yet to miss a game due to the injury and is questionable for Sunday.