The Dallas Cowboys’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round was one of the most compelling moments of the NFL postseason, not just because of the result, but because of how decisively the Cowboys performed on one of the biggest stages in professional football. For a franchise that has been perennially scrutinized for underperforming in the playoffs, Dallas delivered a statement win. CBS Sports, in its postgame breakdown, revealed what they identified as the single most important reason for this dominant performance: quarterback Dak Prescott’s elite play under pressure.
There’s no shortage of factors in any football game—coaching decisions, turnovers, special teams, defensive schemes, and the like—but in this game, CBS Sports emphasized that everything revolved around Prescott’s ability to rise above expectations. Coming into this Wild Card matchup, Prescott was under an enormous amount of pressure. The Cowboys hadn’t won a road playoff game in over three decades, and Dak himself had faced criticism for his inconsistency late in the regular season, particularly after leading the league in interceptions despite missing five games due to injury. The media narrative leading into the matchup focused heavily on Prescott’s ability to handle postseason pressure and whether he could finally deliver when it mattered most.
CBS Sports analysts pointed out that what made Prescott’s performance so impactful was not just the stat line, though that in itself was impressive. He completed 25 of 33 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding a rushing touchdown. What truly stood out was the command he had over the game. He was calm, efficient, and assertive, dissecting Tampa Bay’s defense with precision. According to CBS Sports, it was not just that Prescott played well—it was that he played a nearly flawless game in a scenario where any mistake could have shifted momentum.
One of the key moments that CBS highlighted was Prescott’s response after the Cowboys’ first two drives ended in punts. In previous seasons, Dallas often started slow in big games, and this game initially seemed to follow that pattern. But then Prescott turned a corner. On the third drive, he engineered a 15-play, 80-yard masterpiece that ended with a perfectly executed bootleg touchdown run. That drive not only put the Cowboys ahead but also established a tone of control that they maintained for the rest of the night.
CBS Sports noted that one of the most telling differences in this game was Prescott’s ability to handle Tampa Bay’s blitz packages. All season, the Buccaneers had found success by disrupting quarterbacks with exotic looks and well-timed pressure. But Prescott’s pre-snap reads and pocket awareness neutralized that threat. He was quick with his decisions, often hitting his first or second read with pinpoint accuracy. When Tampa’s pass rush did get through, he displayed excellent mobility to escape the pocket and extend plays, either with his legs or by buying time for receivers to get open.
In the red zone, Prescott was surgical. Dallas converted four of their five red zone trips into touchdowns, and Prescott accounted for all of them. CBS Sports analysts stressed that red zone efficiency is one of the most crucial aspects of playoff football. Field goals don’t win games in January, touchdowns do—and Prescott delivered them in bunches. His timing and chemistry with tight end Dalton Schultz were particularly impressive, as the two connected for two touchdowns, each coming at critical moments to sustain Dallas’ momentum.
Another dimension that CBS Sports emphasized was the mental toughness Prescott displayed throughout the game. He had to outduel Tom Brady, the most accomplished postseason quarterback in NFL history, in Brady’s home stadium. That is no small task, regardless of Brady’s age or the Buccaneers’ inconsistent season. The psychological weight of facing a legend like Brady—especially when Dallas had a long history of falling short in the playoffs—could have rattled a lesser quarterback. But Prescott looked unshaken, treating the moment with the gravity it deserved while playing with the loose, aggressive confidence of someone who was fully in control.
Beyond the numbers and execution, CBS Sports also pointed to leadership as a key component of Prescott’s impact. He didn’t just perform well—he inspired confidence in his teammates. The offensive line, missing some key starters, held up remarkably well, and CBS attributed part of that to Prescott’s quick processing and poise. Receivers ran sharper routes, backs hit holes harder, and the overall offensive unit played with a rhythm that had often been missing in big games over the past decade. It was as though the entire team fed off Prescott’s energy.
Dallas’ defense certainly played a part in the victory, holding Brady and the Buccaneers’ offense to just 14 points, but CBS maintained that it was Prescott’s command of the game that was the catalyst. The defense’s success, after all, was amplified by the offense’s ability to sustain long drives and keep Tampa’s offense off the field. The Cowboys dominated time of possession, a direct result of Prescott’s third-down efficiency. Dallas converted seven of 13 third downs, and on several of those, Prescott either made a perfect throw under pressure or used his legs to move the chains. This ability to extend drives demoralized Tampa’s defense and kept Brady from finding a rhythm.
CBS also pointed out that this performance may have marked a turning point in Prescott’s career. For years, questions swirled about whether he could win when it counted most. He had won playoff games before, but never in such convincing fashion, and never against a quarterback of Brady’s caliber. With this win, CBS suggested that Prescott shed the label of being merely “good enough” and stepped into the conversation of elite quarterbacks capable of carrying a team deep into the postseason.
There was also a broader context to consider. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner, has long been desperate to bring another Lombardi Trophy to Dallas. He built this team with the belief that Prescott could be the one to do it. And while playoff wins have been elusive during Prescott’s tenure, this performance seemed to justify Jones’ faith. CBS Sports made it clear that this wasn’t just about one game—it was about the potential that Prescott’s play unlocked for the rest of the playoffs and possibly beyond.
Interestingly, CBS also discussed what this win said about head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. While much of the credit went to Prescott, CBS highlighted that the game plan was tailored perfectly to his strengths. The Cowboys didn’t try to overcomplicate things. They used motion to create mismatches, kept Prescott in manageable down-and-distance situations, and balanced the attack well enough to keep Tampa’s defense guessing. But even the best game plan requires flawless execution, and that’s what Prescott delivered.
In contrast, Brady never looked comfortable. The Buccaneers’ offense was disjointed, the run game was non-existent, and Brady, who had made a career out of late-game comebacks, never found his rhythm. CBS Sports emphasized that while Brady’s struggles were notable, it was Prescott’s performance that truly defined the outcome of the game. This wasn’t a case of the Cowboys simply outlasting a fading legend—it was a statement win fueled by a quarterback playing the best football of his career.