The Dallas Cowboys ruined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ NFC South division title hopes on Sunday thanks to key plays by the defense when it mattered most.
The Buccaneers’ crucial attacks stopped dead. In the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield was intercepted in the end zone by Jourdan Lewis. Then, as the Buccaneers tried to put a finishing touch on their final minute, they saw running back Rachaad White get stripped by DaRon Bland.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) celebrate after Tolbert’s touchdown catch in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, December 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
The two fourth-quarter turnovers helped Dallas solidify a 26-24 victory.
Cooper Rush was 26 of 35 with 292 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert. CeeDee Lamb had seven receptions for 105 yards. But the story of the game was the defense.
Mayfield was sacked four times along with White’s interception and fumble. He had 304 passing yards and two touchdown passes, but struggled to find a consistent rhythm.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (15) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass as Payne Durham (87) looks on in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, December 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
Chauncey Golston, Micah Parsons, Donovan Wilson and Linval Joseph each had one sack.
The Cowboys were held to just three points in the second half, but they did enough to crush Tampa Bay’s hopes when it mattered most.
Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention before the game began, but they were determined enough to make it harder for Tampa Bay to win the NFC South.
The Buccaneers fell to 8-7 and are behind the Falcons despite having the same record. Atlanta defeated Tampa Bay twice this season.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy watches the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
With two games remaining in the regular season, the Buccaneers have the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints left on the schedule.
