Cowboys want to write their own history

They claim they have had nothing to do with the Cowboys’ decades of playoff failure. The last time they were crowned in their then-illustrious history was in the 1995 season and they have been unable to win a playoff game as visitors in 30 years.

“We have zero responsibility for anything that has happened in the past,” coach Mike McCarthy said this week. “On the contrary, this is a great opportunity for us to change a bad history that we didn’t build.”

True, only 10 players on the current Cowboys had been born the last time they won a postseason game outside of Dallas.

But yes, a good portion of the 53 active players were in last year’s wild-card game, where they were showcased and eliminated by the San Francisco 49ers, after winning the same 12 regular-season games as in 2022.

“Of course it’s motivation,” said quarterback Dak Prescott, who has a 1-3 record in his seven pro seasons in the playoffs, all with the Cowboys, crisply. “You learn from everything. But you have to leave the past right there in the past. This is the present and we have a good chance to respond right away. You can never take for granted that you’re going to be in this position and playoff opportunity.”

Prescott is one of those who needs to change the past, even the near past. He will come into the game against the Buccaneers with interceptions in seven straight games and the most (15) in the entire NFL, despite playing in only 12 games this season.

“I know I have to play better across the board,” Prescott said. “I promised the guys in the locker room that I’ll be ready to do my job across the board. Fortunately, I have an opportunity again this weekend and I’m going to take advantage of it.”

McCarthy has refused all season to be concerned about the play of his quarterback, whom he prefers to be aggressive even if he gives up balls.

The Cowboys have had the league’s best offense since Prescott returned from injury in the 19-3 loss to the Buccaneers in the season opener at AT&T Stadium.

Despite inefficiency on offense through the first six games of the season, including five with backup quarterback Cooper Rush, the Cowboys finished tops in points scored (32.4 per game, third-down conversion (52.3 percent) and are second in red zone efficiency (78.6 percent touchdowns) in the NFL.

“The best thing is that we’re in the postseason and can continue to compete for what we want,” McCarthy maintained. “I have great confidence that we’re ready to go win the game.”

Likewise, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said he saw that opportunity in the game against the Cowboys, to start from scratch in pursuit of one more Super Bowl championship.

“Yeah, they (Cowboys) have a great team that they won 12 games with for the second year,” Brady said in video conference with Dallas media. “It’s not easy to win in this league consistently and they’ve done it. But that’s all behind us here. We all have starting this weekend the same opportunity.”

“I’ve played against them a few times and I have great respect for that organization, their history and the great players guys they’ve had and have,” he added. “But this time it’s only about three hours on Monday. Everything will have to do with those three hours on the field. Everything else is behind us and inconsequential.”

Yes, Brady has faced the Cowboys seven times before and has beaten them every time; five wins when he was part of the New England Patriots and two in consecutive years with the Buccaneers, including the first game this season.

“Clearly, we have to pay attention only to the two times we’ve played Tom Bay and Tampa. That’s what really matters to us. That’s what we have to focus on. We just have to worry about the preparation we’ve already done and get back to our best soccer this season.”

To their good fortune, the Cowboys will face Tampa Bay with a nearly full squad after injuries caused defensive play to drop off in recent weeks.

They expect defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins (chest), linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) and rookie corner DaRon Bland, the team’s interception leader, to be ready to play.

The main personnel concern, as it has been the previous five games, is the corner to fill in for Anthony Brown, who is out for the remainder of the season. They have unsuccessfully tried four different corners on that side opposite Trevon Diggs.

“If I get a chance, I have to do a better job,” expressed backup corner Nashon Wright, who has played the most at that position. “I’m ready and my teammates trust me.”