The Dallas Cowboys won convincingly in the Wild Card Round at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady. Outstanding man: quarterback Dak Prescott. Despite a successful season, the playmaker was criticised. Now he seems to be in top form at the best of times.

You could see the relief in Dak Prescott’s cheers after his touchdown run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The bootleg play to make it 12-0 in the meantime was the end of a strong half for the Dallas Cowboys. In the end, the Cowboys won deservedly and dominantly against the Buccaneers with 31:14.

The star of the evening was not the strong defence of Dan Quinn or the dominant running game of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, but – to the surprise of most – quarterback Prescott. He has been heavily criticised lately, but seems to have finally got a grip on his shaky performances.

Greatest possible contrast to the Washington game

329 total yards, five total touchdowns, no turnovers and 69 percent of balls received: Prescott literally dissected the Buccaneers’ once-hyped defence and is one of the winners of the first playoff round. The 29-year-old is – from the Cowboys’ perspective – finally playing the way he was expected to this season.

“He can beat anybody,” head coach Mike McCarthy praised him highly after the game. “But he can also lose to anyone,” his critics would reply.

Because arguably his best game in the NFL was preceded by his worst game. Against the Washington Commanders in Week 18 of the Regular Season, the playmaker showed downright confusion. Prescott threw only one touchdown – and that was a pick six straight to the opponent. The worry lines on owner Jerry Jones’ face were getting bigger and bigger.

Also because the form curve of Dallas’ number four was already showing a downward trend. He led the league with 15 interceptions – even though he missed five games because of a broken thumb. Eleven were in the last seven games of the regular season. Not exactly the kind of statistics you want to see from your quarterback, who is paid around 40 million dollars a year.

The charge against Prescott: the outstanding running game as well as the aggressive defence would carry him. However, his name is now on the win against the Buccaneers, and his critics have fallen silent for the time being.

2021 failed miserably: chance to make amends vs 49ers

However, one swallow does not make a summer, especially in the more than critical and formerly success-addled Dallas. For the Cowboys and Prescott, it is now a matter of confirming this performance.

In the Divisional Round, none other than the best defence of the recently concluded regular season awaits with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have won all of their last eleven games.

Not only that, Prescott and the entire Cowboys franchise have something to make up against the 49ers. That’s because the two teams also faced each other in the playoffs in 2021.

The Cowboys had the ball just before the end and could have won by a touchdown, but the clock ran out on a questionable quarterback draw play. Dallas was mocked nationally for the abrupt end to the comeback.

Now everything is set to change, and the Cowboys are eager to make amends. With more thoughtful playcalling, a more variable offence and most importantly: a better Dak Prescott.