In a high-stakes NFL showdown at Arlington, Texas, the Dallas Cowboys edged out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24, leaving the Bucs’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread. With standout performances from Cooper Rush and Brandon Aubrey, the Cowboys delivered a crucial win despite being out of postseason contention.
Game Highlights
First-Half Action The Cowboys took early control as Cooper Rush connected with Jalen Tolbert for a 10-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Brandon Aubrey shone with two remarkable 58-yard field goals, setting a record for the season with 14 field goals of 50+ yards. CeeDee Lamb displayed resilience, battling a shoulder injury to rack up 105 receiving yards, including a critical play setting up Ezekiel Elliott’s 1-yard touchdown run for a 20-7 lead.
Baker Mayfield countered for the Buccaneers with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan in the final minute of the first half, narrowing the gap to 23-14.
Second Half Drama Mayfield kept Tampa Bay alive, throwing a 13-yard touchdown to Ryan Miller late in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 26-24. However, a game-sealing turnover occurred when DaRon Bland ripped the ball from Richard White’s grasp during a critical drive in the final two minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Dallas Cowboys: Despite being eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day, the Cowboys extended their strong late-season form with a fourth win in five games. Their defense played a pivotal role, particularly in the fourth quarter, with clutch turnovers by Bland and Jourdan Lewis.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The loss drops the Bucs to an 8-7 record, tying them with Atlanta in the NFC South. With Atlanta owning the tiebreaker, Tampa Bay’s playoff path now depends on both winning their final two games and receiving outside help.
Postgame Reactions “We lost, we fell back in the pack,” said Bucs coach Todd Bowles. “We’ve got to take care of us and let everything else take care of itself.”
Mayfield acknowledged the critical fumble: “They made some plays when it mattered. It’s all about the ball, and they did well taking it away.”
Dallas coach Mike McCarthy praised his team’s resilience: “When we had to have it with the takeaways there in the fourth quarter, it’s remarkable.”
Looking Ahead
- Buccaneers: Host the Carolina Panthers next Sunday in a must-win game.
- Cowboys: Travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles, aiming to maintain momentum despite being out of playoff contention.
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