The Dallas Cowboys challenged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the top spot in the NFC South on Sunday thanks to clutch plays from the defense when it mattered most.
Crucial Buccaneers games are suspended for dead. In the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield was intercepted in the end zone by Jourdan Lewis. When the Buckeyes tried to close the gap in the last minute, he saw Rachaad White get robbed by DaRon Bland.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) celebrate after Tolbert caught a 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)
A fourth quarter turnover helped Dallas clinch a 26-24 victory.
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 White's interceptions and fumbles. 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 during 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 held to just three points in the second half but did enough to end 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 difficult for Tampa Bay to win the NFC South.
The Buckeyes fell to 8-7 and are behind the Falcons despite having the same record. Atlanta beat Tampa Bay twice this season.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 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 Buckeyes have the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints remaining on the schedule.
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