The path to the Super Bowl is not easy for the Dallas Cowboys.

After a comfortable win in Tampa Bay, the team has a trip to San Francisco next weekend to think about. And even that would likely be followed by another trip to Philadelphia.

So, no. It's not even close to being an easy path to Arizona.

But if the Cowboys play as they did against the Buccaneers, they have a legitimate chance at the big stage. The Cowboys we saw on Monday night are the ones that can go on a real playoff run, even on the road.

This didn't look like the team Cowboys Nation has gotten used to for years now. You know, the one that seems to crumble when the lights are the brightest or the ones that couldn't overcome the slightest injuries to the starting lineup.

All week long, we dealt with the uncertainty that comes with facing Tom Brady in a playoff game while on the road. These are not the kind of games we're used to seeing the Cowboys thrive in.

But thrive they did. And to be honest, it wasn't even particularly close. This was a 12-win team steamrolling an 8-win team that barely made the playoffs.

But it wasn't the Bucs they had to beat but themselves. That's what really makes this team feel different. They showed up.

It starts with the fact that this was a clean performance in Tampa Bay. The Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 31-14 by not shooting themselves in the foot.

They didn't turn the ball over and in fact never even got close to doing it. They were called for just two fouls. The play-calling was at its best.

This resulted in the passing offense being outstandingly efficient.

Dak Prescott completed 76% of his passes for over 300 yards and recorded four passing touchdowns, and one rushing score. The Cowboys quarterback looked on point as he spread the football around in one of his best career moments.

To be fair, there were drops early in the game and the Cowboys didn't get a first down until the team's third drive of the game. But it was smooth sailing after that as the offense picked up 6.2 yards per play.

And on defense, they managed to avoid being picked apart with big play after big play.

That was in big, big part thanks to a pass rush led by Micah Parsons, who consistently pressured Tom Brady and had him throwing off his back foot all night long.

Even the banged-up secondary looked very good as defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had the plan to change things up by lining up rookie cornerback DaRon Bland on the outside with three safeties on the field (Jayron Kearse mostly taking over the slot) for most of the game.

Other than some special team woes (Brett Maher's missed extra points and Noah Brown's mistake on the onside kick recovery) this was as clean of a performance as we've seen from the Cowboys all season long.

If they keep themselves from making self-destructing mistakes, they might reach the NFC Championship Game for the first time in almost three decades. And who knows, maybe the Super Bowl.

Mike McCarthy's squad sure looks locked in.

Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports