the Dallas Cowboys It threw a wrench into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' NFC South title hopes on Sunday thanks to clutch play from the defense when it mattered most.
The Crucial Buccaneers' engines stopped in their tracks. In the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield Intercepted in end zone by Jordan Lewis. Then, as the Buccaneers tried to end some last-minute buzz, they watched running back Rashad 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 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)
Fourth quarter turnovers helped Dallas cement its 26-24 win.
Cooper Rush was 26 of 35 with 292 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 for going along with an interception and a fumble from White. He had 304 receiving 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, December 22, 2024. . (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
Chauncey Golston, Micah Parsons, Donovan Wilson and Linval Joseph each had a sack.
Cowboys They were held to just three points in the second half but did enough to crush Tampa Bay's hopes when it mattered most.
Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention before the game even 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 has defeated Tampa Bay twice this season.
Dallas Cowboys 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 remaining in the regular season, the Buccaneers have the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints remaining on the schedule. The Cowboys could help the Buccaneers beat the Falcons next week.
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