Playoff-Eliminated Cowboys Edge Buccaneers in Gritty Win

ARLINGTON, Texas — As they do before every game, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy met in McCarthy's office. This time, however, the mood was somber.

“It was a downtime,” Jones said. “We both looked like we had lost somebody.”

The Cowboys' playoff hopes officially ended when the Washington Commanders secured a last-second victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, about four hours before Dallas faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Before the game was a real punch in the gut, to say the least,” McCarthy admitted.

Despite knowing their three-year playoff streak was over, the Cowboys delivered a hard-fought 26-24 win against the Buccaneers, improving their record to 7-8 with their fourth victory in five games.

Dallas played without key Pro Bowl contributors Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs due to injuries. Additionally, linebacker Eric Kendricks, the team’s leading tackler, was sidelined after his calf injury failed to improve during pregame warmups.

The adversity continued during the game as Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb exited in the first half after landing awkwardly on his injured shoulder. Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert also suffered an open dislocation of his pinky finger late in the first half, leaving the Cowboys shorthanded.

Statistically, the Cowboys were outgained by 93 yards, had 10 fewer first downs, and trailed in time of possession by over five minutes against the NFC South-leading Buccaneers. Yet, they emerged victorious.

Quarterback Cooper Rush delivered a career-high 226 passing yards in the first half, including a touchdown pass to Tolbert. Running back Ezekiel Elliott contributed a 1-yard touchdown on his lone carry, bringing his career total with Dallas to 72 touchdowns.

On defense, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, playing with an elbow brace, intercepted Baker Mayfield in the end zone during the fourth quarter. DaRon Bland sealed the win with a crucial forced fumble on Buccaneers running back Rachaad White in the final minutes.

“I just love the way our team plays,” McCarthy said. “I can’t say enough about the locker room—their pride, character, toughness, and resiliency.”

Jones echoed that sentiment, praising McCarthy’s leadership despite speculation about his future with the team, as McCarthy’s contract is set to expire after the season.

“I’m proud of those guys, boy,” Jones said. “They wouldn’t give up out there. And Mike McCarthy? He just won’t let them believe they’re not playing for a Super Bowl.”

McCarthy mentioned that he avoided addressing the team's eliminated playoff status prior to kickoff, focusing instead on preparing the players as usual. However, individual discussions among players acknowledged the emotional impact of Washington's victory over Philadelphia.

Quarterback Cooper Rush was en route to AT&T Stadium when he learned of the Commanders’ win. Listening to the Eagles-Commanders game on the radio, he realized the Cowboys’ season would conclude on Jan. 4 or 5, depending on the NFL’s Week 18 schedule.

“There’s a lot of players with a lot of wins in that locker room over the last three seasons,” Rush said. “We know what it’s about. We know who we are as competitors, and when you’re playing football, you’re competing to win.”

In a slight departure from his usual approach, McCarthy decided to take the ball after winning the coin toss—a change from his initial plan to defer, determined during a game management meeting on Friday.

“I said, ‘Hey, let’s take the ball and get up and get going, start this thing the right way,’” McCarthy explained. “I thought it was good that the offense went out there and got some points on the board.”

Kicker Brandon Aubrey opened the scoring with a 58-yard field goal, the first of three field goals of 50 yards or more during the game. Aubrey’s third long-range kick gave Dallas a 26-14 lead with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter.

Though the Buccaneers narrowed the gap to two points with 2:36 left in the game, the Cowboys’ defense came through once again. DaRon Bland secured Dallas’ second takeaway, clinching the victory and ensuring the team’s resilience shone through despite the disappointing circumstances.

Reflecting on the season’s struggles, Jones took responsibility for the team’s shortcomings.

“There’s many things that have gone into us sitting here not in the playoffs, and you can start with me,” Jones admitted. “A lot of people contribute when you win, and a lot of people contribute when you don’t. But, boy, the effort, the professionalism—those guys came out and played as if they were fighting for a championship game to go to a Super Bowl.”

While the Cowboys won’t be fighting for a championship this year, their Super Bowl drought now extending to 29 seasons, the team finds purpose in the remaining two games.

“Everything,” Rush said, when asked what motivates them now. “I mean, this is your life. This is ball. This is what you do. You get paid to do it. I don’t think people need much more motivation.”