Arlington Texas- The Dallas Cowboys walked away with a 26-24 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday night. Although the Cowboys were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs before the game, it turned out to be a thrilling contest that had significant implications for Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes. With a national audience on “NBC’s Sunday Night Football” at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboy’s defense showed up when it mattered most, highlighted by a remarkable 4th quarter interception by Jourdan Lewis and forced fumble by DaRon Bland to seal the deal.

Game Highlights:

The Cowboys started the game strong, jumping out to a 10-0 lead, with backup quarterback Cooper Rush tossing a TD to Jalen Tolbert. However, it was the Cowboys’ defense that truly stood out in the second half. One of the game’s defining moments came from Jourdan Lewis. In the fourth quarter, with the Buccaneers on the brink of potentially tying the game or taking the lead, Lewis made an incredible interception on a deep pass intended for Jalen McMillan. Lewis somehow fought off the receiver to break up the pass and secure the ball in the end zone, effectively ending a promising Tampa Bay scoring drive and potentially changing the outcome of the game.

DaRon Bland also had a monumental moment by making a game-sealing strip against Buccaneers running back Rachaad White in the final minutes, which was crucial in stopping a potential game-winning drive by Tampa Bay. Bland coming off a severe injury this season is looking more and more like his former self. Micah Parsons was a force to be reckoned with, registering 4 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Baker Mayfield was pressured all night by Cowboys’ Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer’s schemes that disrupted the Bucs’ offensive rhythm throughout the game.

For the Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield had moments of brilliance but couldn’t overcome the early deficit and the relentless Cowboys defense. Mayfield connected with Ryan Miller for a late touchdown, trying to mount a 4th quarter comeback, but Lewis’s interception and the Bland’s forced fumble put a end to that.

Coaches’ Comments:

• Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys: “I’m proud of how our team came out and performed tonight, especially on defense. Jourdan Lewis’s interception was a game-changer. Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, and our whole defensive unit really stepped up. Even though we’re out of the playoff picture, the guys showed up with heart. Cooper Rush stepped up when we needed him, but it was our defense that sealed this game.”
• Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “We had our chances tonight, but we couldn’t put it all together. The Cowboys’ defense was all over us, especially that interception by Lewis. The turnovers were costly, and we’ve got to be better at protecting the ball. We’ll regroup and focus on finishing strong in the remaining games.”

Game Impact:

For the Cowboys, this game offered no impact on their playoff hopes, but the team played hard anyway. A real testament to coach McCarthy, the assistants, and the leadership on the field. The Cowboys played “spoiler” and will have more opportunities to do so in the next two weeks facing the Eagles and Commanders. For Tampa Bay, this loss was a tough blow to their playoff aspirations, pushing them out of first place in the NFC South, with the Atlanta Falcons taking the lead back in the division.

Upcoming Games:

• Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys will next face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 29, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Kickoff is set for 3:25 PM CST.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers will take on the Carolina Panthers next on Sunday, December 29, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL, with a start time of 1:00 PM EST.

• Box Score:
• Dallas Cowboys:
  • Cooper Rush: 26/35, 292 yards, 1 TDs, 0 INTs
  • CeeDee Lamb: 8 receptions, 105 yards
  • Micah Parsons: 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
  • DaRon Bland: 1 forced fumble, 7 tackles
  • Jourdan Lewis: 1 interception
  • Brandon Aubrey: 2/2 FGs, longest 58 yards
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
  • Baker Mayfield: 31/43, 303 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
  • Mike Evans: 8 receptions, 69 yards
  • Chase McLaughlin: 1/1 FG, 45 yards
• Team Statistics:
• Total Yards: Cowboys 317, Buccaneers 410
• Turnovers: Cowboys 0, Buccaneers 2
• Time of Possession: Cowboys 27:13, Buccaneers 32:48.

*Photos courtesy of AP, NFL, SI, CBS, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, NBC, and Dallas Morning News. 

“Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. The podcast is available on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. 

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