Everyone understands the story of the game surrounding the imminent playoff clash between the 12-5 Dallas Cowboys and the 8-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Cowboys have been one of the NFC favorites for most of the season but their recent struggles have raised significant question marks.

Conversely, the Bucs have struggled all season but a recent explosive performance to clinch their division raised the hype for the Super Bowl LV champions. Maybe, NFL fans think, they can get hot at the right time.

A big reason why that seems possible is the fact that Tom Brady can still throw at a very high level. And he has some legit targets, including two 1,000-yard receivers this season; Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Pair that with the big hole the Cowboys have at outside cornerback opposite Trevon Diggs and we're talking trouble. If given enough time to do so, expect Brady to take some deep shots and find the explosive passing gains that Dallas has given up over the last few weeks.

The Bucs have struggled to come up with those but Mike Evans had three deep touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. When asked about facing the banged-up Cowboys' secondary, Evans confidently replied that it didn't matter.

Why? Because the Bucs are healthy.

When asked about Cowboys’ depleted secondary, Mike Evans said “When we are healthy, it doesn’t matter who the DBs are.” Laughed, “I hope I get a lot of Cover 1.”

— Brianna Dix (@briannadixNFL) January 11, 2023

The Bucs wide receiver also sent a not-so-indirect message challenging Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, basically daring him to play Cover 1 against him.

That's been Quinn's favorite coverage (single-high safety, man-to-man coverage with one extra defender who can blitz or play an underneath zone) since joining Dallas as defensive coordinator.

Mostly, it's proven successful. But teams take a lot of risks when using it because it leaves cornerbacks on islands with little safety help over the top.

Even without Anthony Brown, the Cowboys remain one of the teams that use the most Cover 1 coverages. Per Sports Info Solutions, the Cowboys rank in the Top 10 in man coverage, middle of the field closed, and one-high shell defenses for the season and since Week 14.

Leaving Evans one-on-one with no safety help – even if it's Trevon Diggs across from him – is THE match-up to watch if it happens.

When push comes to shove, whether or not the Cowboys defense holds its own won't come down to what defensive looks Quinn chooses to feature.

It will come down to Nahshon Wright, Xavier Rhodes, or whoever else gets playing time at outside cornerback showing up on Monday Night.

If the Cowboys eliminate those big-gainers for the Bucs offense, I don't see how they lose this one.

Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports