(Getty)
Final Score
Buccaneers — 3-3-14-0–20
Cowboys — 0-17-0-9–26
The Buccaneers turned the ball over three times on the road Sunday night, but still had two chances late in the fourth quarter to steal a victory on the road. Both chances were interrupted by the Cowboys pass rush, and Dallas defended their turf with a 26-20 victory.
Pass-rushing specialist David Irving made a name for himself on the national stage, as he was virtually unblockable in the fourth quarter. That disrupted Jameis Winston, who torched the Cowboys in the third quarter but couldn’t muster one final drive.
The Cowboys were once again led by Ezekiel Elliot, who finished with 159 yards and the game’s first TD. He celebrated by jumping into a giant Salvation Army donation bucket, and his performance could see him jump into the MVP discussion.
Scroll down for game stats and highlights:
Game Highlights
Cowboys Running Clock At The Two-Minute Warning
Ezekiel Elliot is making a case for MVP on the national stage. He is carrying defenders on almost every play, and the Cowboys need one first down to close this out. He eclipses 150 yards rushing on the drive, but the Cowboys are forced to punt one last time.
Witten Fumbles But The Bucs Don’t Capitalize
🚨🚨 FUMBLE ALERT! 🚨🚨
Witten loses the 🏈…
The @TBBuccaneers recover! #TBvsDAL t.co/VPbCa6WVLG
That is how you respond to a sudden-change/ turnover situation as a defense. #shutitdown #TBvsDAL
After turning the ball over three times, Kwon Alexander gets Tampa’s first turnover of the night. He pops Jason Witten to knock the ball free, and gives Winston and the offense great field position. Winston and the offense go three and out, but pin the Cowboys at their own four yard line.
Winston’s Second Turnover Puts Dallas Back Ahead
Jameis is PICKED!
Jeff Heath is going the other way! #TBvsDAL t.co/Q3IXYuADVw
Huge hold by #Bucs defense to a FG after Winstons arm was hit on INT… down 23-20
David Irving got the pressure that forced Winston’s errant throw, but the Cowboys couldn’t fully capitalize. Prescott had completed a pass to Dunbar for a TD, but the play was called back for holding. The end result is Dan Bailey’s second field goal of the night.
Buccaneers Retake The Lead
Here come the BUCS!
Winston + Brate = SIX! #SiegeTheDay t.co/hOF95QuEOW
Whatever opinions you got on Winston, respect the fact the dude is fearless on the field. Lots of fun to watch. #TBvsDAL
Cameron Brate showed impressive hands on the latest Bucs TD drive, hauling in a long grab early in the drive and capping it with a TD catch. Winston has been electric in the third quarter, making throws from all over the field. We’ve got a game.
Jameis Starts Second Half Strong
.@Jaboowins goes DEEEEP…
Adam Humphries catches the deflected pass for SIX! #SiegeTheDay t.co/SMgxoOaYg8
Jameis Winston’s TD pass was his 12th from outside the pocket, most in the NFL
Not a lot of QBs in the league who can make that throw going left and throwing right 40+ yards. #TBvsDAL
The Bucs go 75 yards in eight plays to start the second half, and Winston hits Humphries from 42 yards out to pull within one score. Great adjustment from Humphries, but a ridiculous throw from Winston.
Halftime
Dak Prescott had a strong first half and the Cowboys lead the Bucs 17-6 at halftime.
Prescott has completed passes to eight different receivers, piling up nearly 200 passing yards in the process. Elliot has four carries for 48 yards, and Darren McFadden has had a few nice touches in his first action of the season.
The Bucs started with a field goal to open the scoring, but a turnover from Jameis Winston turned the momentum early. The Bucs have had a hard time on defense, but Winston moved the ball well on his last drive of the second quarter.
Tampa Bay will get the ball to start the second half.
Dak Walks In For Another Dallas TD
Wayyyyy too easy.
@Dak is in! #DallasCowboys t.co/RyZSw05BlX
Tampa D had nada in middle and Linehan called QB Draw – TD .. #TBvsDAL 3-17
The Cowboys are 5-7 on third down to start the game, and Prescott has completed passes to eight different receivers. He caps off another TD drive with a shotgun draw, taking advantage of a massive hole made by his line.
Zeke Jumps In The Salvation Army Bucket
Ezeke TD Celebration
Ezekiel Elliot is the first in the endzone with his 13th rushing TD of the season. He was flagged for an excessive celebration penalty.
Jameis Starts His Second Drive With a Turnover
FUMBLE!
Jameis can’t hang on to the 🏈…
And the @DallasCowboys recover! #TBvsDAL t.co/j7DBK96iu3
Winston is stripped on the first play of the drive, giving Dallas great field position. They go 14 yards in five plays for the games first TD, and the Bucs defense has no answers thus far.
Strong Running Puts Tampa Up First
Aguayo’s FG is good from 25!
The @TBBuccaneers are on the board first, leading 3-0! #TBvsDAL
I’ll take that 3! Very good start .. we need to hold zeke on this next drive .. too many yards on last one #SiegetheDay
After a long field goal attempt by Dan Bailey fell short, the Bucs took advantage of the short field. Martin carried five times for 19 yards, and the Bucs knocked in a short field goal to open the scoring.
Pregame
Pregame chat between @EzekielElliott & @EmmittSmith22 💯 #TBvsDAL t.co/Y4p9YS5ya6
Final pregame thought: this is the Cowboys’ fourth straight primetime game, dating back to Thanksgiving. On the opposite sideline, this is the biggest game in Tampa’s history in a few years, and their first primetime appearance since Week 9. It’ll be interesting if the adrenaline rush that comes with the national game has faded for Dallas, and whether that is a positive or a negative against a young Bucs team.
Game Stats
Stats will be updated throughout the game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Passing: Winston: 17/35, 247 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Martin: 16 carries, 42 yards
Receiving: Brate: 5 catches, 73 yards, TD
Dallas Cowboys
Passing: Prescott: 32/36, 279 yards, Rush TD
Rushing: Elliot: 23 carries, 159 yards, TD
Receiving: Bryant: 8 catches, 82 yards
Preview
The Dallas Cowboys head home after their second loss of the season, ending Sunday’s action against the streaking Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay have won five straight games, two coming against teams heading towards the playoffs. They’ve been doing it with defense, but face a tough test against the Cowboys top-ranked offensive line. The Bucs have held opponents under 20 points in four of five games on the streak, and meet the Cowboys offense at their lowest point of the season.
The Cowboys had their 11-game winning streak snapped by the Giants last week, and the praise on QB Dak Prescott has cooled. He’s been held under 200 yards passing in three straight games, and that lack of balance has hurt the offense.
With their streak, the Bucs have thrust themselves into the NFC Wild Card chase. A win would give them some breathing room for the NFC’s final playoff spot, where they currently sit a half-game ahead of the Packers.
Comments
Bucs vs. Cowboys: Score, Stats & Highlights