How did the Buccaneers get a home-field advantage against the Cowboys?

NFC Wild Card Playoffs - Dallas Cowboys v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game

Even though the 2022 season was filled with trials and difficulties, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers nevertheless advanced to the postseason. The 8-9 record of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helped them win a lackluster NFC South divisional championship, earning them a postseason game at home.

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The Buccaneers faced the Dallas Cowboys (12-5) in the draw as a result of being the lowest-seeded team among the four division champions.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had never before won consecutive division championships before this season. As his team's leading player, Tom Brady has only managed to miss the playoffs on one occasion in his career.

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Brady has also led Tampa Bay to a playoff appearance in his first three seasons with the franchise. This is Brady's 14th straight year in which he has advanced to the playoffs.

The only thing that has made this year different from the others is that the Buccaneers' problems have outweighed their victories. Their road to the playoffs was made possible by playing in the NFC South, which is unquestionably the poorest division in the conference.

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In every wildcard round game, the team with the higher seed will play host while the side with the lower seed travels. As a result, the home team is assured of at least one game for each conference's four division champions, as well as for the duration of the playoffs for the team with the No. 1 seed.


Dak Prescott was the catalyst as the Cowboys beat the Buccaneers

In the last wildcard matchup of the NFL postseason first round, Dak Prescott outperformed Tom Brady by tossing four TDs and rushing for a fifth as he guided the Dallas Cowboys to a decisive 31-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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The Cowboys have thus overcome the initial obstacle and will now try to build on the same form. After their 40-3 thrashing of the Minnesota Vikings in late November, the Cowboys' most comprehensive effort this year was the dominant display against the Bucs. It may be what the team needs to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in almost three decades.

Brady's side were knocked out of the postseason in the wildcard stage three times before Monday, with the most recent defeat occurring in January 2020, when the New England Patriots lost 13-20 to the Tennessee Titans in his final game with the team.

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Edited by Tejas Rathi
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