Football is finally back as the NFL kicks off the 2021 regular season tonight, featuring a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dak Prescott is set to make his return from injury, while Tom Brady is seeking yet another championship run.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa is coming off a Super Bowl victory, and the team has a roster that is absolutely stacked as they look to defend their championship with a repeat. The ageless wonder that is Tom Brady embarks on a mission to capture his 8th ring. Bruce Arians continues to be the players coach everyone wants to play for, as he allows the talent on the roster to do the heavy lifting.
Tom Brady
What is there that could be said that hasn’t been said already? The undeniable GOAT continues to defy the odds and perform at an elite level despite his “advanced” age. With a long list of offensive weapons to choose from, it will be increasingly difficult for defenses to slow down the Bucs offenses.
Buccaneers Defense
As if having Tom Brady is not a big enough advantage, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have one of the best defense in the league. So while opposing defenses struggle to slow down Brady and the Bucs offense, the opposing offense struggles to do anything against the defense. A perfect balance that results in great success for the Bucs, and endless headaches for anyone game planning to go against them.
Shutting Down The Run Game
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys were featured yet again on this season of HBO’s Hard Knocks, further adding to the excessive over-hyping that typically surrounds this team. Will be interesting to see what Mike McCarthy is able to achieve in year two as the Dallas head coach.
Dak Prescott Return
Dallas Cowboys franchise quarterback Dak Prescott is set to start his first NFL game since suffering a gruesome lower leg injury last season. Despite the injury, the Cowboys offered Prescott a contract extension, leaving little doubt that this is his team for the foreseeable future. And rightfully so, given the fact that his play on the field seemed to justify the extension. Now we enter the unknown as time till tell whether or not Dak is able to return to the same level of on-field success he achieved prior to last season’s injury.
Does Zeke Have Anything Left?
Following a hold out prior to the 2020 season, the Dallas Cowboys decided to make Ezekiel Elliot the highest paid running back by signing him to a massive deal. The 2020 season one to forget for Elliot from a football standpoint. He started the season out of shape following his hold out in Cabo, and was never able to regain the level of dominance he had reached in years prior. Will he be able to bounce back with a big year this season?