Cowboys to attack Buccaneers with new-look offensive line, jumbo personnel

TAMPA, Fla. — The Cowboys are intent on igniting their run game.

Maybe six offensive linemen can achieve what five cannot.

Based on pregame warmups at Raymond James Stadium, Dallas will unveil a new combination on its offensive line for Monday evening’s playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In theory, the strategy allows left guard Connor McGovern to reprise a role at which he hasn’t worked all season but has previously thrived, and that’s as an auxiliary offensive linemen. He can work as a sixth lineman at the line of scrimmage or fullback in what the team calls its “Mac” personnel grouping.

Cowboys players expressed confidence throughout the week in their coaching staff’s game plan.

This is a key element of it.

Jason Peters and rookie Tyler Smith will start at left tackle and left guard, respectively. The Cowboys used that arrangement in a Week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders when center Tyler Biadasz was unavailable. McGovern shifted inside for his first career NFL start at center. With Biadasz back Monday from a high-ankle sprain, the team opted to make a straight substitution at center, kicking McGovern into a roving, romper role, while leaving Peters and Smith as is.

Dallas hopes to jump start a stalled run game that has averaged 3.2 yards per carry in four full games since losing right tackle Terence Steele to a torn ACL on Dec. 11.

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