Win and you're in.

It's as simple as that for the Dallas Cowboys (8-6) this week when they face the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-9).

The Cowboys could potentially clinch a playoff berth before their game goes final (depending on how long it goes) if Washington loses Saturday and Philadelphia loses its noon game Sunday. However, last week showed that it's not wise to rely on other teams to secure a playoff spot.

On paper, it may seem like a Cowboys win is inevitable, as evidenced by the fact that Dallas opened as an 8.5-point favorite, but the Buccaneers likely will be a tough out. Though Tampa Bay's defense is putrid, the offense is one of the most explosive in the NFL and capable of moving the ball on any team.

If the Cowboys don't bring their A-game, they may be in for a long day against Tampa Bay. With that being said, it's time to get bold. Here are a few predictions for Cowboys-Buccaneers:

Dak Prescott throws 3 TDs and runs for another

The Buccaneers' defense isn't good -- there's no other way to say it. Tampa Bay allows the fifth-most yards per game (386.6), sixth-most passing yards per game (258.5) and third-most points per game (28.8). Moreover, the Buccaneers allow the eighth-most yards per drive (34.67) and fifth-most points per drive (2.48).

All this means is Dak Prescott is primed for a big day.

While Prescott isn't the most talented passer in the NFL, he does possess enough arm talent to take advantage of the Buccaneers' soft pass defense. Tampa Bay is especially susceptible at the second level, where each linebacker (except for Lavonte David) struggles mightily in coverage, meaning Prescott should have a field day in the short-to-intermediate zones -- his favorite area to target.

While Prescott and the Cowboys' offense have struggled mightily in the red zone this season, ranking 31st in red-zone touchdown percentage, the Buccaneers' defense could be the perfect antidote, as it allows a touchdown on 78.43 percent of its opponents' trips to the red zone (worst in the NFL by five percent).

If Prescott and the offense can't find success in the red zone this week, Dallas' red-zone offense may truly be broken beyond repair. One thing you may see Dallas do more of in the red zone moving forward is use Prescott's legs at a higher frequency.

Throughout his career, Prescott has demonstrated he can be an effective ballcarrier in short-yardage situations and the red zone.

Inside zone read ends up as a 17-yard TD run for #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott pic.twitter.com/FchPvwBEga — John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 14, 2018

The zone read has been the most popular iteration of Dallas' attempts to get the ball in Prescott's hands as a runner. The zone read is effective because, in theory, the offense is always right, as the quarterback reads an unblocked defender to determine whether to hand the ball off or take off on his own.

I love the QB draw call in the red zone. Works so well. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/AFFC7qh3Ug — John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 24, 2017

On top of the zone read, Prescott has also proven capable on QB draws in the red zone with his impressive vision and power as a ballcarrier. The QB draw is an effective concept because it takes advantage of the upfield penetration defenders look to get on passing plays. This could be especially effective against a team that possesses one of best upfield penetrators in football: defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

Overall, Prescott is primed to bounce back after his below-average performance against Indianapolis. Tampa Bay lacks the talent and scheme to stop Prescott through the air, and his legs could be the answer to Dallas' red-zone woes.

Blake Jarwin records 75+ receiving yards and a TD

With Geoff Swaim out of the lineup, Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz have gained valuable experience and are improving every week because of it.

Schultz has developed into an impressive blocker who can provide Prescott with an outlet option in the short-to-intermediate zones.

Jarwin, on the other hand, has become Dallas' No. 1 receiving threat among the healthy tight ends. He's also become an underrated yards-after-catch threat (YAC), as four of his 10 yards per reception have come after the catch. Furthermore, Jarwin has been a first-down machine in recent weeks -- his eight first downs in the past four weeks rank 10th among tight ends, per Pro Football Focus.

Jarwin gets his tastiest matchup yet on Sunday -- the Buccaneers have been abysmal covering tight ends, allowing over seven catches and 69 yards per game (third most). While he'll be defended by a variety of players throughout the game, the player who will be primarily tasked with defending Jarwin is Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead, who is merely average in coverage when Tampa Bay plays single-high safeties.

Whitehead has allowed 70.8 percent of targets his way to be caught this season, allowing, on average, 10.4 yards per catch, per PFF. Whitehead is adept at limiting YAC, but he doesn't do well playing the catch point.

At 5-foot-10 and 198 pounds, Whitehead is a great athlete, meaning Jarwin likely won't create much separation with his routes -- an area still in development for Jarwin. Still, Jarwin has proven in recent weeks to be adept at using his 6-5, 260-pound frame to box defenders out at the catch point.

When he isn't defended by Whitehead, Jarwin has proven to be a good option to beat the blitz, showing the ability to identify them and adjust his routes accordingly to give Prescott a hot read under pressure.

Don't be surprised if Jarwin has a career day as he takes advantage of a Tampa Bay team that likely will do everything it can to stop (or slow down) Amari Cooper.

Cowboys' defense allows 350+ yardsbut forces 2 turnovers

The Cowboys' defense is coming off what is quite possibly its worst performance of the season after Andrew Luck and the Colts thoroughly dominated the Cowboys last week.

Things don't get much easier this weekend for the Dallas defense when it welcomes the Buccaneers' explosive offense to AT&T Stadium. The key for the Buccaneers will be the health of DeSean Jackson, as Tampa Bay is a totally different offense when he's healthy.

When Jackson is on the field this season, the Buccaneers average 2.08 more yards per pass and have yet to accumulate fewer than 300 total yards. Moreover, the Buccaneers have accumulated less than 410 total yards just once this season (against the Bears) with Jackson on the field.

The Buccaneers also have an explosive pass percentage (passes that accumulate 15-plus yards) of 25.4 percent with Jackson on the field. For comparison's sake, the Cowboys' explosive play percentage with Amari Cooper on the field is 11.8 percent, less than half of Tampa Bay's with Jackson.

In three games without Jackson this season, the Buccaneers' offense has yet to accumulate more than 315 total yards.

With Jackson returning to practice this week, it looks like the Buccaneers' offense will be close to full strength against Dallas, meaning the defense will need to be at its best to slow Tampa Bay's explosive offense down.

With Jackson in the fold, don't be surprised if Tampa Bay has some success and puts up 20-plus points.

Jameis Winston throws an INTpic.twitter.com/dsOX376GeJ — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 14, 2018

Luckily for Dallas, the Buccaneers' offense is just as likely to shoot itself in the foot as it is to put up 20-plus points. The Buccaneers have an incredible 32 turnovers this season, four more than the second-place team (Buffalo, 28). Twenty-five of the 32 turnovers

come through the air, as the Buccaneers have thrown five more interceptions than any other team this season.

The Cowboys have been below average forcing turnovers this season, ranking 19th in takeaways (16). But the Dallas defense should not only have ample takeaway opportunities, it should have a shot at putting some points on the board itself, with Tampa Bay having allowed three defensive touchdowns this season.

Don't be surprised if Dallas takes a page from Indianapolis last week by employing a bend-but-don't-break defense as Tampa Bay racks up a ton of yards before coughing the ball up or getting stopped in the red zone.

Twitter: @JohnOwning