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.8
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.