The Dallas Cowboys had a great first half against Tampa Bay.
2nd Quarter
The Cowboys punted shortly after the quarter began and this time around the Buccaneers made it a point to draw blood.
Tampa’s drive traveled 57 total yards, many of which were by way of an incredible Mike Evans catch, before Bucky Irving ultimately reached the endzone to make the game 10-7.
Bucky Irving too quick for six!
: #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SKUyN02Uhs— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
Dallas picked up a nice chunk of yardage on their next possession thanks to a huge play from Cooper Rush to CeeDee Lamb. In the first half alone there were several big plays happening across both sides.
Unfortunately the Cowboys had to settle for another field goal attempt. It wasn’t quite 58 yards, it was 49, but it was nevertheless good from Brandon Aubrey.
The Cowboys defense made sure to stand tall on their next drive and forced another punt. Look at third down, though. Chauncey Golston got the sack, but Carl Lawson!
Chauncey Golston sacks Baker on 3rd down!
: #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QYSgKEC7at— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
You will recall that Dallas took the opening kickoff after winning the toss. This inherently put some pressure on this next possession for them to score as it in all likelihood would be some time before they would even have the ball again.
When you need something great to happen, call CeeDee Lamb.
CeeDee Lamb forever and ever
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/jENFXfi2Z8
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) December 23, 2024
CeeDee appeared to go down hard on this play which was certainly not great to see given the shoulder ailment he has been battling. He did appear to be okay shortly after.
Lamb had another tough catch almost immediately after that put the Cowboys right on the goal line. At that moment it was time to call in Ezekiel Elliott, who had no issue scoring.
Feed Zeke!
: #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ovKDbasvX1— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
The Buccaneers got to work and did so very quickly, the quickest of anyone on the night.
Tampa traveled 71 yards on 7 plays in under a minute of game clock and found their second touchdown of the night in the process.
Baker moves in the pocket and delivers a dot to Jalen McMillan for the TD!
: #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bMUjTBpSYr— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
The Cowboys had enough time to work with to where they were actually able to make something out of it!
Cooper Rush stayed calm and put Dallas in field goal range… for Brandon Aubrey.
Amazingly, Aubrey hit his second 58-yard field goal of the night as the half ended.
1st Quarter
The Dallas Cowboys won the toss, the first thing they won on the day what with them having been eliminated from playoff contention, and elected to receive. Cooper Rush was up.
That first drive was a methodical one as Cooper Rush completed all 6 passes that he attempted; however, the Cowboys kept things in front of them and were hardly taking shots down the field. Ultimately things stalled just a little bit and they had to settle for a 58-yard field goal attempt which Brandon Aubrey converted with (shocker) relative ease.
When Tampa Bay took over they began to move with relative ease themselves until things got a bit tough around midfield. Ultimately the Buccaneers went for it on fourth and short and even though Baker Mayfield found a wide open receiver, Sterling Shepard dropped it to turn the ball over to the Cowboys.
The Cowboys went straight to work on their next drive. Cooper Rush found Brandin Cooks for a huge gain that put them in position to threaten for a touchdown this time around. Soon enough, Cooper Rush found Jalen Tolbert in the back of the endzone with one of the prettiest throw and catches you will ever see.
RUSH
TOLBERT
TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/yXf0POWNSs
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) December 23, 2024
Tampa’s next possession seemed to reach go-for-it territory on fourth and short as well, but this time the Bucs chose to punt it away. Dallas’ offense took the field for the third time in the game and with a 10-0 lead at their back.
The quarter ended with Dallas facing 3rd and 8 from their own 22.
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Notable Recent News
This past week saw the trailer for the Netflix documentary chronicling Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys teams of the 1990s release… if you are into that.
Injury Updates
We have known for some time that Trevon Diggs’ season is over, but the Cowboys formally placed him on injured reserve on Saturday.
Dallas signed Andrew Booth to the active roster in response.
NFL News Relevant To The Cowboys
As noted up top… the Washington Commanders beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and in the process they eliminated the Cowboys from playoff contention.
The Drought™ grows all the more large.
Up Next For The Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are set for their final road trip of the season next Sunday as they will visit the Philadelphia Eagles. After that they will return home to host the Washington Commanders before they wrap everything up.