Cooper Rush threw for a landing and Brandon Aubrey kicked two 58-yarders amongst 4 area targets because the Dallas Cowboys beat Tampa Bay 26-24 on Sunday night time, costing Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers management of their playoff destiny.
The top of a four-game successful streak left the Bucs (8-7) even with Atlanta atop the NFC South with two video games remaining, however the Falcons have the tiebreaker as a result of they gained each conferences with Tampa Bay.
A 3-year playoff streak for the Cowboys (7-8) ended once they had been eradicated from postseason competition earlier than kickoff by Washington Commanders’ last-gasp victory in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.
However it did not derail Dallas, who gained for the fourth time in 5 video games since a five-game shedding streak that put these playoff hopes in peril.
Mayfield, the Texas native enjoying not removed from his highschool and school roots, was in place to steer a rally from a nine-point deficit within the last three minutes when he escaped a sack and shovelled the ball to Rachaad White within the last two minutes.
DaRon Bland ripped the ball out of White’s fingers earlier than he hit the bottom, giving Dallas possession on the Tampa Bay 32-yard line and permitting the Cowboys to expire the clock.
Stats leaders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Passing: Baker Mayfield, 31/43, 303 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Speeding: Bucky Irving, 16 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Mike Evans, 5 catches, 69 yards
Dallas Cowboys
- Passing: Cooper Rush, 26/35, 292 yards, 1 TD
- Speeding: Rico Dowdle, 13 carries, 23 yards
- Receiving: CeeDee Lamb, 7 catches, 105 yards
Mayfield threw for 2 touchdowns, together with a 13-yarder to Ryan Miller that pulled the Bucs inside two with 2:36 to go.
The Bucs obtained the ball again with 1:50 remaining earlier than the large play from Bland, who compelled his first turnover in an injury-plagued season a 12 months after the cornerback set an NFL file with 5 interception returns for touchdowns.
A Tampa Bay protection that allowed an NFL-low 15 factors in the course of the successful streak had bother early making an attempt to sluggish Rush and receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had a 100-yard first half for the second week in a row.
Cooper Rush led the Dallas Cowboys to victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lamb, who has been battling a bum proper shoulder a lot of the season, got here down onerous on it once more on a 52-yard catch within the second quarter. After going to the bench, Lamb returned for a catch beneath and fought his means contained in the 1-yard line to arrange Ezekiel Elliott’s plunge for a 20-7 Dallas lead.
Lamb completed with 105 yards after getting 100 earlier than the break per week after going for 105 first-half yards in opposition to Carolina.
Mayfield wanted lower than a minute on a drive to his 11-yard landing go to Jalen McMillan within the last minute of the primary half, however the Cowboys answered with Aubrey’s second 58-yard area purpose on the ultimate play earlier than the break for a 23-14 lead.
What was mentioned?
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield: “I’ve mentioned all of it alongside, this group won’t give up. That is the usual that we attempt to set. It will be good to not must be in that scenario, if we would taken care of enterprise earlier within the recreation. They made some performs when it mattered. It is all in regards to the ball, they usually did good taking it away.”
What’s subsequent?
The Chiefs enter the penultimate week of the common season once they go to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, whereas the Texans are again at house to host the Baltimore Ravens.
Watch New Orleans Saints @ Inexperienced Bay Packers from 1.15am on Tuesday, dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL. Stream with NOW.
