Cooper Rush threw for 292 yards and a touchdown, but Dallas’ defense was the story.
The Dallas Cowboys won their fourth game in five weeks, upsetting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24 on “Sunday Night Football.”
Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland forced a fumble on the first play of the Buccaneers’ final offensive possession, squashing a potential game-winning drive and sealing the victory for Dallas.
What in the world just happened?! pic.twitter.com/IKCtWQcGSD
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
The loss was a costly one for Tampa Bay, which dropped from first place in the NFC South to outside the playoff bracket.
Bland’s forced fumble was a shocking play in a game filled with them. After Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield barely escaped a sack and flipped the ball to running back Rachaad White, Bland stripped White as he fought for more yards and then recovered the loose ball.
Mayfield completed 31 of 43 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the loss.
Meanwhile, quarterback Cooper Rush played well for the Cowboys, throwing for 292 yards and a touchdown.
Dallas came out strong offensively, taking a 10-0 lead in the first quarter before eventually taking a 23-14 lead into halftime. After a field goal on their first possession of the second half, however, the Cowboys wouldn’t score again. But their defense came up with multiple big stops to prevent a Tampa Bay comeback — including two key turnovers.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, Mayfield appeared to find Jalen McMillan for a 46-yard touchdown on a deep pass, but as McMillan fell down to the field, Jourdan Lewis wrestled the ball away for an interception.
Two drives later, after the Bucs made it a two-point game, Bland ended the game with his forced fumble.
Dallas competed admirably despite having been eliminated from playoff contention before the game. The Cowboys improved to 7-8. They will play the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has had a roller-coaster season. The Buccaneers started 4-2, then lost four games, then won four straight before Sunday’s loss, which dropped them to 8-7. The Bucs now have the same record as the division-leading Atlanta Falcons but trail them in the standings after being swept in their two-game season series.
Tampa Bay will play the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.