By The Associated Press’s Schuyler Dixon
Texas’ Arlington Cooper Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers lost control of their postseason destiny as the Dallas Cowboys defeated Tampa Bay 26–24 on Sunday night. Rush threw for a touchdown, and Brandon Aubrey kicked two 58-yarders among four field goals.
Atlanta leads the NFC South with two games left after the Bucs (8-7) ended a four-game winning streak, but the Falcons have the tiebreaker since they defeated Tampa Bay in both of their meetings.
The Cowboys (7-8) were eliminated from postseason contention prior to the prime-time kickoff, ending their three-year playoff run. Dallas did, however, win for the fourth time in five games following a five-game losing streak that threatened their chances of making the playoffs.
After escaping a sack and shoveling the it to Rachaad White in the final two minutes, Mayfield, a Texas native who plays close to his high school and college roots, was in a position to lead a comeback from a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes.
The Cowboys were able to run out of time when DaRon Bland tore the ball from White’s hands before he struck the ground, giving Dallas possession at the Tampa Bay 32-yard line.
With 2:36 remaining, Mayfield threw for two touchdowns, including a 13-yard pass to Ryan Miller that put the Bucs within two.
On Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Arlington, Texas, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving celebrates as he rushes for a score against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game. (Photo by Jerome Miron for AP)
Bland, who forced his first turnover in an injury-plagued season a year after the cornerback established an NFL record with five interception returns for touchdowns, gave the Bucs the ball back with 1:50 left before the big play.
The Tampa Bay defense, which gave up an NFL-low 15 points during the winning streak, struggled early to stop Rush and receiver CeeDee Lamb, who recorded his second consecutive 100-yard first half.
On a 52-yard grab in the second quarter, Lamb, who has spent the majority of the season dealing with a bum right shoulder, came down hard on it once more. Lamb battled his way inside the 1-yard line after returning from the bench for a grab underneath, which allowed Ezekiel Elliott to dive for a 20–7 Dallas lead.
A week after scoring 105 first-half yards against Carolina, Lamb reached 100 yards before the break and finished with 105 yards.
In the last minute of the first half, Mayfield drove to an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan in less than a minute. However, the Cowboys responded with Aubrey’s second 58-yard field goal on the last play before halftime, giving them a 23–14 lead.
On Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Arlington, Texas, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving celebrates as he rushes for a score against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game. (Photo by Jerome Miron for AP)
Long-distance duel
Aubrey has set an NFL record with 14 field goals this season, including three of which are at least 50 yards. The record is still up for grabs because Houston’s Kaimi Fairbairn has 13.
Injuries
Due to a hamstring injury, Tampa Bay wide receiver Sterling Shepard was sidelined in the second half. Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks worked out before the game but was sidelined due to a calf issue.
Up next
Next Sunday, the Buccaneers will host Carolina.
Cowboys: Next Sunday at Philadelphia.
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