Image source, Getty Images

That is just the second time Tom Brady has been shut out in the first-half of a play-off game. It was a rocky start for both teams but Dallas shook off the early issues to really take control of the game.

Prescott looks comfortable and is able to keep the offence ahead of the chains and the Dallas defence is all over Tom Brady and that Tampa Bay offence.

The good news for Buccaneers fans? The last time Brady was shut out in the first-half, it was the Tuck Rule game and the New England Patriots came from behind to win 16-13 in overtime.

Dak Prescott is leading the two-minute drill to perfection. He finds CeeDee Lamb for a 30 yard gain over the middle of the field.

That is followed up with a 13 yard pass to Michael Gallup and the Dallas offence is firing.

Dallas are left at third-and-six a couple of plays after the two-minute warning and Prescott wheels away from pressure for a 10-yard gain, diving over a low tackle attempt by Shaun Murphy-Bunting.

Dak Prescott is really in rhythm now and the Dallas offence is starting to click. He finds his top tight end Dalton Schultz for a 20-yard gain and that play brings up the two-minute warning.

The Buccaneers are forced into third-and-long after a first-down run is stopped for a loss of three yards and a second-down pass is short with pressure in Brady's face.

A third-down screen pass to Chris Godwin gets eight of the required 12 yards but Todd Bowles sends out the punt unit, a decision that is met with frustration by the home fans.

Dallas have first-and-goal and it is a strong catch and run from the tight end Jake Ferguson.

He fakes to block before slipping out into the flat. He is completely wide open and takes the ball down the right sideline all the way to the nine-yard line.

The Cowboys are trying to capitalise on the turnover and are staying ahead of schedule at the moment.

After a shaky start Prescott has settled into a rhythm and a couple of first downs have them out near midfield.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Tom Brady had not thrown an interception in the red zone since becoming a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. But he has now!

Off play action he pump fakes and as the pocket collapses he tries to throw the ball away but it only finds Jayron Kearse in the back of the end zone.

And that's where the first quarter ends - huge defensive efforts first up but both attacks just starting to warm up now.

Just time to catch our breath after that Brady play to see if he can now punch it in.

Hello Tom Brady! The 45-year-old is running around, pump faking and shovel passing like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen out there, wonderful stuff!

AND, there's some end product as well as his flip to Chris Godwin gets a first down and sets up first-and-goal.

Nice third-down conversion from Brady to Mike Evans, who is a key player tonight for the Bucs with Dallas not having the best of times in the secondary. He potentially could have a big game.

Tom Brady moves the chains for the first time tonight, mainly down to running back Rachaad White, who takes the dump-off pass and scampers 11 yards eluding tacklers with a nifty run.

Big penalty for Dallaspublished at 01:38 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2023

01:38 GMT 17 January 2023

Dallas Cowboys 0-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Akiem Hicks is flagged for a late hit on Dak Prescott and in the course of this game that 15-yard gain is huge. It was a touch late from Hicks but the punishment seemed a bit harsh.

There was genuine excitement when Pollard got a five-yard gain, so it was fever pitch when Prescott got the first completion of the game to Michael Gallup for a 15-yard gain and the first down!

Both teams have had the ball twice now, both have punted twice with zero first downs so far.

In terms of yards it's Buccaneers 3, Cowboys -5.

Fair to say defences are on top so far...

After seven negative plays, at least Dallas get the first play of the game that actually gains some yards - and it's a run from Tony Pollard for just three.

But that's as good as it gets as Vita Vea eventually gets hold of Dak Prescott for the sack. Vea's had injury problems but when healthy he's a monstrous destroyer of worlds on the interior of that line and not many teams run it on him.

Dallas have to punt.

Donovan Smith has to resort to getting Micah Parsons in a headlock to stop him getting at Brady and that's as clear a penalty as you can see - so Tampa have to kick it away.