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The Dallas Cowboys secured their fourth win in five weeks with a narrow 26-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Sunday Night Football.”
Cornerback Daron Bland clinched the win for Dallas by forcing a fumble on the Buccaneers’ final offensive play, halting their potential game-winning drive.
The Dallas Cowboys pulled off an impressive 26-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, marking their fourth win in five games despite being eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day.
Daron Bland’s Game-Saving Play
The Cowboys’ defense sealed the victory in dramatic fashion when cornerback Daron Bland stripped the ball from Buccaneers running back Rachaad White late in the fourth quarter. The forced fumble, which Bland recovered, stopped Tampa Bay’s final drive and squashed their hopes of a comeback.
Mayfield’s Mixed Night
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield had a roller-coaster evening, completing 31 of 43 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns but also throwing a costly interception. He nearly pulled off a game-winning drive before Bland’s heroics ended the night.
Cooper Rush Shines Again
Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush stepped up, throwing for 292 yards and a touchdown to lead Dallas. The offense came out firing, building a 23-14 halftime lead with help from Brandon Aubrey’s consistent kicking, including three field goals from beyond 50 yards.
Key Moments for Both Teams
The Buccaneers fought hard to stay in the game, including an 87-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, capped by Mayfield’s 13-yard pass to Ryan Miller. However, Dallas’ defense came through with two crucial turnovers: Jourdan Lewis intercepted Mayfield in the end zone earlier in the fourth, and Bland’s forced fumble ultimately sealed the deal.
Playoff Implications
The loss was a major blow for Tampa Bay, dropping them to 8-7 and out of first place in the NFC South. Now tied with the Atlanta Falcons, the Buccaneers sit behind in the standings due to a tiebreaker. They’ll face the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
What’s Next
The Cowboys, now 7-8, will look to finish the season strong as they take on the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles next week. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay must regroup and win to keep their postseason dreams alive in a competitive NFC South race.
Big Defense in Dallas Seals 26-24 Victory for Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys pulled off a thrilling 26-24 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, thanks to a clutch defensive play in the final moments. With less than two minutes on the clock and Tampa Bay driving for a potential game-winning score, Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland delivered the play of the night.
As Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambled to keep the play alive, he flipped a short pass to running back Rachaad White. While White fought for extra yards, Bland ripped the ball loose and recovered the fumble, securing the victory for Dallas.
The win improves the Cowboys to 7-8, while the Buccaneers drop to 8-7, complicating their playoff hopes. Tampa Bay now trails the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South standings after being swept in their season series.
Tampa keeps comeback hopes alive!
The Buccaneers aren’t out of this one yet. Trailing 26-24 with 2:36 left on the clock, Tampa Bay executed a lightning-fast 87-yard touchdown drive in just over two minutes. Baker Mayfield capped it off with a precise 13-yard pass to a wide-open Ryan Miller, threading the ball just beyond the reach of a leaping Cowboys defender.
CeeDee Lamb made the 88 jersey proud tonight
Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, who proudly dons the iconic No. 88 jersey once made famous by Michael Irvin, added his name to an elite chapter of team history tonight.
With 100 receiving yards in this game, Lamb achieved his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, matching Irvin’s record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns in Dallas Cowboys history.