The Dallas Cowboys threw a wrench into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC South division title hopes on Sunday thanks to clutch plays from the defense when it mattered the most.
Crucial Buccaneers drives were stopped dead in its tracks. In the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield was intercepted in the end zone by Jourdan Lewis. Then, as the Buccaneers tried to final some last-minute gusto, 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, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
The two fourth quarter turnovers helped Dallas solidify a 26-24 win.
Cooper Rush was 26-of-35 with 292 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert. CeeDee Lamb had seven catches for 105 yards. But the story of the game was the defense.
Mayfield was sacked four times to go along with the interception and White’s 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, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
Chauncey Golston, Micah Parsons, Donovan Wilson and Linval Joseph each had a sack.
The Cowboys were only held to three points in the second half but did enough to crush Tampa Bay’s hopes when it mattered the most.
Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention before the game started but they were determined enough to make it more difficult 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 play 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)
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With two games left in the regular season, the Buccaneers have the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints left on the schedule.
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