NFL Scores and Highlights: Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playoff hopes shaken by 26-24 loss to Dallas Cowboys | NFL Information

Cooper Rush threw for a landing and Brandon Aubrey kicked two 58-yard area targets on 4 area targets because the Dallas Cowboys beat Tampa Bay 26-24 on Sunday evening, costing Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers management of their fortunes in playoffs.

The tip of a four-game profitable streak left the Bucs (8-7) even with Atlanta atop the NFC South with two video games remaining, however the Falcons have the tiebreaker as they gained each conferences with Tampa Bay.

A 3-year playoff streak for the Cowboys (7-8) ended after they have been eradicated from playoff rivalry earlier than kickoff by the Washington Commanders’ late-game victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

But it surely did not derail Dallas, which gained for the fourth time in 5 video games since a five-game dropping streak that put its playoff hopes in jeopardy.

Mayfield, the Texas native taking part in not removed from his highschool and faculty roots, was in place to guide a rally from a nine-point deficit within the last three minutes when he escaped a sack and threw the ball to Rachaad White within the final two minutes. minutes.

DaRon Bland ripped the ball out of White’s palms earlier than hitting the bottom, giving Dallas possession on the Tampa Bay 32-yard line and permitting the Cowboys to expire the clock.

Statistics leaders

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Passage: Baker Mayfield, 31/43, 303 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Dashing : Bucky Irving, 16 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
• Reception : Mike Evans, 5 catches, 69 yards

Dallas Cowboys

• Passage: Cooper Rush, 26/35, 292 yards, 1 landing
• Dashing : Rico Dowdle, 13 carries, 23 yards
• Reception : CeeDee Lamb, 7 catches, 105 yards

Mayfield threw two touchdowns, together with a 13-yarder to Ryan Miller that introduced the Bucs inside two with 2:36 remaining.

The Bucs received the ball again with 1:50 left earlier than Bland’s massive play, which compelled his first turnover in an injury-plagued season a 12 months after the cornerback set an NFL report with 5 interception returns for touchdowns.

A Tampa Bay protection that allowed an NFL-low 15 factors through the profitable streak struggled to decelerate Rush and large receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had a 100-yard first half to the second week in a row.

Lamb, who battled a proper shoulder damage for many of the season, struck exhausting once more on a 52-yard catch within the second quarter. After going to the bench, Lamb got here again for an beneath catch and labored his manner contained in the 1-yard line to arrange Ezekiel Elliott’s diving move for a 20-7 Dallas lead.

Lamb completed with 105 yards after having 100 earlier than the break, per week after speeding for 105 yards within the first half in opposition to Carolina.

Mayfield wanted lower than a minute to finish his 11-yard landing move to Jalen McMillan within the last minute of the primary half, however the Cowboys responded with Aubrey’s second 58-yard area purpose on the final recreation earlier than the break for a 23. -14 lead.

What did we are saying?

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield: “I’ve all the time mentioned, this group is not going to quit. That is the usual we’re attempting to set. It might be good to not have to search out ourselves on this state of affairs, if we had sorted out our affairs earlier within the recreation. They made some performs when it was essential, all of it is determined by the ball, they usually did an excellent job of getting it again.”

What’s subsequent?

The Chiefs start the penultimate week of the common season after they go to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, whereas the Texans return house to host the Baltimore Ravens.

Watch New Orleans Saints @ Inexperienced Bay Packers Tuesday from 1:15am, reside on Sky Sports activities NFL. Stream with NOW.