All three Cowboys units put on a show Sunday night in their 26-24 win over Tampa Bay. For the offense, it was Cooper Rush’s red-hot start and CeeDee Lamb’s courageous battle through a painful injury. Defensively, a long list of standouts brought the lumber and delivered big hits throughout the game. And on special teams, kicker Brandon Aubrey continued his assault on both the NFL and Dallas Cowboys franchise record books. But with the good always comes at least little bit of bad and usually a smidgen of ugly. The Cowboys let Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers work their way back into the game on multiple occasions, usually at the end of a half when they could have just as easily kept their foot on the gas. And the recently-revived rushing attack suffered a serious setback that now makes the success of the past three weeks look more like a bad-opponent blip than a true turnaround. But a win is a win, and although the Week 16 victory is bittersweet in light of the team’s official ouster from playoff contention, there’s still plenty of good, bad, and ugly to be found once you look past the final score. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Good: Defense delivering the lumber Mathematically eliminated from postseason contention several hours before kickoff, the Cowboys could have been excused for simply going through the motions Sunday night. But the defense chose instead to take out their frustrations on anyone wearing pewter-colored pants. Marist Liufau, Micah Parsons, Donovan Wilson, C.J. Goodwin, and Amani Oruwariye were among the Cowboys who made sure they got in a few good swings of the hit stick during the Week 16 win, delivering dynamite blows and flying all over the field. Several supporting-cast defenders also stood out; Nick Vigil led the unit in tackles, while Chauncey Golston, Linval Joseph, and Carl Lawson all made significant contributions in shutting down the Tampa Bay attack. Bad: Letting Mayfield march downfield late in both halves The Dallas defense didn’t break Sunday night, but they sure got bent over a couple times, letting the Bucs sneak back into the game late in both halves. Up 20-7 with under two minutes to play before intermission, the Cowboys let Mayfield go 71 yards in less than 60 seconds for a key touchdown. (All but four of the yards on that drive came through the air.) Late in the fourth quarter, it happened again: the Cowboys couldn’t stop a nine-play, 87-yard TD march that never even reached third down. (Mayfield was a perfect 8-of-8 passing on that drive… and ran the other 12 yards himself.) If not for that crazy strip by DaRon Bland with 1:40 to play, the defense’s habit of collapsing when it mattered most would have been the story of the night. Ugly: Run game regressing ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 22: Rico Dowdle #23 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) Rico Dowdle came back to down earth in a big way against the Bucs defense. After three straight 100-yard games and back-to-back-to-back career highs versus weak defenses, the new workhorse managed just 23 rushing yards on 13 attempts, averaging a meager 1.8 yards per carry. Tampa Bay’s stingy run-stop unit kept the Cowboys bottled up for 31 total yards on the ground and one touchdown, a one-yard plunge scored by Ezekiel Elliott on his only tote of the contest. The next team on the docket, the Eagles, are statistically about the same this year (if not slightly better) against the run, so the sledding could be tough again in Week 17. Good: Cooper cooking early Some wondered if the Cowboys would turn to Trey Lance in an essentially meaningless game, but Cooper Rush had other plans. He went 6-of-6 passing on his first drive and finished the first half having completed 75% of his 24 throws for 226 yards and a score. (That half alone would have been an all-time top-five outing for him.) Rush and the Cowboys slowed in the second stanza, but the hot start proved enough for the team to just squeak by with a two-point win. The veteran finished with a 108.3 passer rating, tied with two other games for the fourth-best of his career. (And two of those higher-rated games have come in the last four weeks.) Bad: Instead of burning clock, Cowboys nearly blow game When Jourdan Lewis’s incredible goal-line interception gave Dallas the ball with 6:22 to play and a nine-point lead, the thoughts of Cowboys Nation had already turned to milking the clock. The offense’s first possession of the night had eaten up 5:54, and an early fourth-quarter drive killed another 3:53. That kind of time-consuming keep-away effort (i.e., “running the damn ball”) could have ended the drama early, but Dallas chose to come out passing instead. Rush’s surprising first-down attempt to Hunter Luepke instead went right into the bread basket of Tampa Bay linebacker J.J. Russell. What should have been an interception instead stopped the clock and set the tone for a failed drive that ended in a punt just three plays later, having chewed up just 1:39. It’s what- completely unnecessarily- gave Mayfield and the Buccaneers the opportunity to make things interesting at the end. Ugly: CeeDee’s shoulder saga Lamb showed himself to be a true warrior as he continues to play through the AC joint sprain he suffered back in Week 9. Explaining that it’s not the hits from defenders that aggravates the injury as much as hitting the ground, Lamb is putting on a week-to-week show that has become downright painful to watch. Even at less than full strength, he finished with seven catches on eight targets for 105 yards. Many fans were critical of Lamb during his training camp holdout over a new contract, but seeing him literally put his body on the line in games that now mean nothing
5 plays that led Cowboys to victory over Buccaneers
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Sunday night was intense. The Cowboys did it again, notching their fourth win in five games despite learning they had been eliminated from the playoffs earlier that day. They played a physical, gritty game against a Buccaneers team that entered on a four-game winning streak. This one came down right to the end, and there was a long list of big plays all throughout the game. But these five plays, in retrospect, seem to have been the biggest ones. Brandin Cooks’ big catch flips field The Cowboys got the ball to start the game and they moved down the field quickly before settling for a field goal. Then, the Dallas defense forced a turnover on downs, when the Bucs dropped a fourth and short pass. The Cowboys had a chance to go up by multiple scores early, and they didn’t pass up the opportunity. KaVontae Turpin took a first down carry for 12 yards, and then Cooper Rush took a deep shot to Brandin Cooks. n target @rush_cooper finds @brandincooks for 29! : #TBvsDAL on NBC : Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/RoErsl4e3J — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 23, 2024 Cooks got free and made some moves after the catch to reel in 29 yards in total. That play took Dallas from near midfield to well inside the red zone at the Tampa Bay 11. Just like that, a touchdown seemed a near certainty, and three plays later Jalen Tolbert was dancing in the endzone. Jake Ferguson’s catch-and-run sets up field goal The Buccaneers got a touchdown with just 48 seconds left in the first half to cut the Cowboys lead to 20-14. But Dallas had all three timeouts and a real opportunity to get some points before the break, aiming to put their lead back to multiple scores. The very first play of the drive practically did all the work for them, as Jake Ferguson came wide open over the middle with some filthy route running. Filthy by Jake Ferguson right before the half. https://t.co/sOybBOn6MY pic.twitter.com/WvkWZ0AcvS — Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) December 23, 2024 In total, Ferguson picked up 21 yards and put the ball at the Tampa 49, right on the fringe of field goal range for Brandon Aubrey. They picked up nine more yards before Aubrey hit a 58-yarder, but this catch from Ferguson was pivotal in setting that up. Cowboys maul Baker Mayfield, set up ridiculous third down The Buccaneers started with the ball right out of the halftime break, and they were hoping to keep their offensive momentum going. A couple big plays got them down in Dallas territory, but a holding call backed them up into a second and 19. Tampa Bay was still at the Dallas 35-yard line, and a field goal was at least in play even if they couldn’t overcome the penalty. But then the Cowboys pass rush came alive. absolutely swarmed : #TBvsDAL on NBC : Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/cJE8qpsWCB — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 23, 2024 Wave after wave of pass rushers came bearing down upon Mayfield as he tried to escape, and it was Micah Parsons who knocked the ball free as he got the sack. Nick Vigil very nearly recovered the ball, but he was ruled out of bounds on replay review. Still, it brought up a hilarious third and 40 and also took the Buccaneers out of field goal range. Jourdan Lewis comes up with incredible endzone pick After both teams traded field goals in the third quarter, the Buccaneers were trailing 26-17 and running out of time. When they got the ball back with seven and a half minutes left, they pretty much needed points on that drive to keep any real hope alive. Mayfield found a receiver deep over the middle on third down to convert the series, and then one play later he took a deep shot to the endzone. That’s when Jourdan Lewis made arguably the most impressive play of his career. #Cowboys Jourdan Lewis INT! pic.twitter.com/V593W6iBjG — Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) December 23, 2024 On the live view, it looked as if Mayfield had just thrown a touchdown, but Lewis came up with the ball and it was ruled an interception. While the Cowboys ultimately punted after just three plays, the pick from Lewis put the Buccaneers in a bind with very little time to complete their comeback bid. DaRon Bland’s fumble recovery ices game Things rolled Tampa Bay’s way after that, forcing two three-and-out’s from the Cowboys and getting a touchdown in between. Mayfield got the ball back with just under two minutes left down two. All he had to do was get into field goal range. But the Cowboys knew the Buccaneers were in pass-only mode, and Mike Zimmer unleashed his most creative pressure scheme on the first play of the drive. Mayfield was hit but refused to go down. He flipped it to Rachaad White, who made a few moves before running into DaRon Bland. What in the world just happened?! pic.twitter.com/IKCtWQcGSD — NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024 The heads-up play from Bland to not only strip the ball but also recover it right away is impressive. Since Tampa Bay had no remaining timeouts, this big play from Bland was the one that clinched it all. Rush took a knee three times to run out the clock, but Bland sealed the deal with this crazy takeaway.
Cowboys news: Win against the Bucs only meaningless on paper
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images All the latest Christmas Eve Dallas Cowboys news! Cowboys showed grit last night despite being eliminated from playoffs – Shane Taylor, Inside The Star The Cowboys, playing for pride, were the better team most of the night against an opponent in the playoff picture. If the Cowboys decide to extend McCarthy, it won’t be a popular decision. The Cowboys fanbase is reactionary and has wanted McCarthy out after every playoff disappointment. Retaining him because of a good finish after the Cowboys’ playoff hopes were practically finished will get a lot of criticism, yet here we are, and we are going to see him return in 2025. The Cowboys have won four of the last five games, but tonight just looked and felt different than the last few games. This was probably the best game they have played on both sides of the ball at the same time this season. Although Cooper Rush did nearly throw an interception with about 4 minutes left when McCarthy should have been running the ball. If the Cowboys decide to extend McCarthy, it won’t be a popular decision. The Cowboys fanbase is reactionary and has wanted McCarthy out after every playoff disappointment. Retaining him because of a good finish after the Cowboys’ playoff hopes were practically finished will get a lot of criticism, yet here we are, and we are going to see him return in 2025. The Cowboys have won four of the last five games, but tonight just looked and felt different than the last few games. This was probably the best game they have played on both sides of the ball at the same time this season. Although Cooper Rush did nearly throw an interception with about 4 minutes left when McCarthy should have been running the ball. Jerry Jones Is Loyal The last head coach that was fired in season was Wade Phillips and we knew that Jerry was not going to fire McCarthy in season, but I thought after they lost that game to the Eagles, this would be his last year. Yet, now after the last month, Jerry has seen enough fight from this team to keep him here for another year. With playoff fate decided, Cowboys believe strong finish can provide springboard to 2025 – David Moore, Dallas Morning News The Cowboys may have more pieces in place that can help them improve in the future than expected. Jourdan Lewis made a spectacular interception to prevent a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s victory. Earlier this season, he openly questioned the practice habits of his teammates. Not now. The way the Cowboys have practiced and competed in recent weeks is the team he recognizes from past years. “The last few weeks, this is the football team I knew we could be,’’ Lewis said. “We love this game. We love each other. We go out there and play for each other, play for coach Mike.’’ Micah Parsons talks about this team stepping up and showing out in the stretch. The goal is to finish strong and prove critics wrong. “Everyone had us written off,’’ Parsons said after picking up one of the Cowboys’ four sacks in the win over Tampa Bay. “Everyone had decided our future for us. “We were like, ‘hold on, hold on. We can be a damn good football team. We can win games.’ “It’s on us.’’ These Cowboys are playing complementary football. Parsons doesn’t know why it took so long, but he finds it encouraging. He’s convinced a strong finish can carry over into next season. Why? Because it’s happened before. Jerry Jones praises Mike McCarthy following Cowboys’ win, declines to discuss coach’s future after the season – Kevin Patra, NFL.com The entire fate of the Cowboys coaching staff feels like something that is going to drag out at the conclusion of the season. Eliminated from postseason contention following the Washington Commanders’ victory over Philadelphia, the Cowboys could have rolled over and played dead against a Tampa Bay club fighting for a playoff bid. Instead, Mike McCarthy’s club battled, taking it to the Bucs and making plays from kickoff to the final forced turnover. “Proud of those guys. They wouldn’t give it up out there. So I’m real, real proud of them,” owner Jerry Jones said after the 26-24 victory, via the Associated Press. “And Mike McCarthy, he just won’t let them not think they’re playing for the Super Bowl out there. He won’t let them do it. So proud of that.” Jones’ praise of McCarthy is notable. The head coach’s contract expires at the end of the season, and the owner and coach have a decision to make on the future. After things looked grim for McCarthy a month ago, Dallas’ late-season surge could change the calculus. The Cowboys have won four of their last five games. Jones’ comments could be laying the foundation to bring McCarthy back. Following three consecutive playoff appearances, Dallas was eliminated from postseason contention with three games left, its earliest exit since 2015. Finding value in Cowboys’ “meaningless” late-season victories – Jess Haynie, Blogging The Boys How much better the Cowboys can be next year with just a healthier roster, before adding any draft picks or free agents, is the biggest question going into the offseason right now. The value of these last five games and the two still to come is the opportunity to find clarity ahead of the offseason. If you were on the fence about giving Cooper Rush another few years as QB2, he’s making that decision easier. If you were dubious about Luke Schoonmaker’s potential going forward, his play during Jake Ferguson’s absence gave reason for hope. And if you weren’t sure about how these players still responded to their head coach, McCarthy has at least earned some new respect as a leader and motivator with this late-season surge. Of course, you shouldn’t keep the bath water with the baby. If Jones is now sold on retaining
Cowboys Headlines: Zimmer unsure about ’25, Lamb on playing through pain, Week 17 vs Eagles flexed
Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb focused on ‘keeping shoulder attached to my body’ while ‘living my dream’ :: CBS Sports Link Lamb’s gritty performance is earning him rave reviews from Cowboys coaches, teammates, and fans. “My shoulder is out of whack,” he said, referring to the AC sprain he suffered back in Week 9. “I love this game that much. I’m literally willing to put my body out there on the line for my guys.” Micah Parsons made NFL history in Cowboys-Buccaneers game :: Athlon Sports Link In recording his 50th career sack, Parsons put his name alongside some of the game’s true legends. He’s now the sixth player to hit that milestone in his first four seasons. Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, J.J. Watt, DeMarcus Ware, and Dwight Freeney are the others. Cowboys win was a pivotal moment for CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons :: Cowboys Wire Link In a game that in many ways meant nothing, Lamb and Parsons showed firsthand that, to them, it meant everything. The two Cowboys superstars have drawn criticism in the past: for sideline behavior, body language on the field, selective effort, even comments and attitudes expressed between games. But both displayed incredible leadership in the Week 16 win. Lamb, physically pained by a shoulder injury, and Parsons, absolutely exhausted carrying the load as edge rusher, showed the grit and determination that hearkened back to memories of heroes past. Brandon Aubrey sets new NFL record, solidifying himself as Cowboys’ ultimate weapon :: The Mothership Link Aubrey hit a ridiculous three field goals of over 50 yards on Sunday. That gave him 14 for the season, a new league record (and he still has two games to play). He’s also the first kicker ever to connect on 10 or more 50-yarders in consecutive seasons. But Aubrey says he’s not really focused on putting his name in the record books. “Just want to go out there and be smooth,” he said. “Don’t think about it at all, the only thing I’m thinking about is going and making the kick…Win some games.” Keeping McCarthy would be admission by Jerry Jones he mismanaged 2024 :: Cowboys Wire Link The improvements shown by the team over the back half of the season may be enough to save McCarthy’s job, according to some observers. But he didn’t do the one thing he was charged with doing in 2024. Jerry Jones could have fired him in January yet didn’t, giving him one more year to prove himself. Now, having been scrapped from the playoff chase before Christmas, what exactly did McCarthy prove? And why would Jones sign up for more of it? Mike Zimmer comments on potential Cowboys return following ‘hard’ year :: SI.com Link McCarthy’s not the only coach in Dallas with an uncertain future. Zimmer says he’s “had a blast” in his return to the defensive coordinator’s role, but he isn’t ready to say he’ll be back next season. “It’s been hard,” the 68-year old admitted. Cowboys-Buccaneers postgame analysis :: Cowboys Wire Updates: McCarthy on Lance; injuries & more :: The Mothership Link Saying, “We’re going to Philadelphia to win the game,” Mike McCarthy confirmed Cooper Rush will stay under center in Week 17. He says wideout Jalen Tolbert “has a chance to play” against the Eagles with a finger injury, but cornerback Kemon Hall may not be over the hamstring injury he sustained Sunday night. Cowboys-Eagles flexed to Noon kickoff for Week 17 :: The Mothership Link The Cowboys and Eagles will resume their rivalry a few hours earlier than originally planned. With Dallas now out of the playoff hunt, Sunday’s Week 17 game has been bumped up from the late-afternoon slot to the early window. Philadelphia can win the NFC East with a win over the Cowboys (or if the Falcons beat Washington). Jalen Hurts is in concussion protocol; Kenny Pickett undergoes X-ray on ribs :: ProFootballTalk Link The Cowboys have no idea who they’ll see playing quarterback for the Eagles in Week 17. If Philadelphia knows, they’re not saying. Jalen Hurts left their game Sunday with a concussion and is in the league’s protocol. Backup Kenny Pickett took a shot to the ribs and had X-rays after their loss to Washington; Eagles coach Nick Sirianni on Monday had no update on either. Second-year third-stringer Tanner McKee is currently the only other quarterback on the Philadelphia roster. EXCLUSIVE: Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown has been counted out for 2025. He has a different goal in mind :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Playing Santa Claus at a daycare facility in Tyler just a week removed from knee surgery, Overshown says he’s working on a surprise for all of Cowboys Nation. “My goal is to definitely see action by midseason,” he said. “I’m going to be smart about it, but I’m going to be ready by midseason. There’s no question about it.” Former Cowboys 3rd-round pick projected to replace $21 million free agent with Texans :: Cowboys Wire Link Chauncey Golston has stepped up in 2024 due to injuries and shown himself to be an integral part of a defense’s plans. But now set to become a free agent, it’s thought another team could swoop in and make him a more attractive offer to leave Dallas. Could the Texans be eyeing the former Iowa Hawkeye to take over for Denico Autry in Houston? Former 1st-round RB valued at $27 million projected as great fit for Cowboys :: Cowboys Wire Link Rico Dowdle has been good down the stretch, but the Cowboys still need help at the running back position, and an effective runner with veteran experience would be a great addition. Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris could fit the bill. He’s topped 1,000 yards in each of his three full years (and should again in 2024), and he’s not even 27. Cowboys’ Tyler Smith living vicariously through former high school after state title win :: Dallas Morning News Link Smith’s high school alma mater, North Crowley, won the state’s Class 6A Division I
Monday Night Football odds, pick and live discussion: Saints at Packers
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images Who wins tonight… New Orleans or Green Bay? The New Orleans Saints play the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. FanDuel has the Packers as 14.5-point favorites over the Saints. Final score prediction: Packers 27 – Saints 16. Check out FanDuel for all of your NFL betting needs. This is an open thread for game chat.
Former Cowboys 3rd-round pick projected to replace $21 million free agent with Texans
Former Cowboys 3rd-round pick projected to replace $21 million free agent with Texans K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys have had to endure a ton of attrition on the defensive line in 2024. Things started off bad in the offseason, worsened in training camp and hit rock bottom during the first month of the season. After losing DL guru and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to Washington, the Commanders new head coach took two free agent defensive ends with him. Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler moved to the nation’s capital, making way for some new blood in Dallas. Only Sam Williams, the third-year DE predicted to breakout with the increased snap allocation, was lost for the season in training camp to an ACL. Then, just four games into the season, Dallas lost four-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence for what is now the rest of the season to a foot injury. In that same game, All-Pro monster Micah Parsons was lost for five weeks to a high-ankle sprain. The following week, rookie Marshawn Kneeland went out with his own knee injury and the barrel was barren. Except for one player, fourth-year pro Chauncey Golston was still around. After being an afterthought through his first three seasons, Golston has stepped up. Entering 2024 with just 3.5 career sacks, Golston has four on the year. His size and skillset allows him to have a role on the end of the line or on the interior. Golston has proven in 2024 that he’s capable of being an integral part of a defense’s plans, not just should lead to some interest on the open market once free agency hit. Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department identified the fourth-year defensive end as someone who could follow in the footsteps of a former teammate and travel down I-45 to land in Houston with the Texans. The Texans have looked to the Dallas Cowboys to fill needs before. They signed Dalton Schultz to become the team’s starting tight end in 2023. It might be time to look to The Star to fill another need in free agency. Chauncey Golston isn’t as well-known as Schultz, but he fills an important role. He has the size to play at both defensive end and defensive tackle, offering flexibility for the Cowboys up front. The Texans could use some of that as they don’t really have a lot of young depth at tackle or end. Signing Golston would help alleviate that issue as he could take over Denico Autry’s role. Autry signed last offseason to a two-year deal worth $21.5 million. The 34-year old has played in just eight games in 2024. Golston was a third-round pick in 2021 out of UCLA. He had started just three games in his career prior to this season.
Cowboys day after thoughts following Buccaneers win: It is okay to be happy about wins
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images The Dallas Cowboys won on Sunday night and it is okay to be happy about that! Sunday afternoon was interesting for the Dallas Cowboys. On one hand, the team was eliminated from playoff contention in a formal sense. While that was just about inevitable, it is still never fun for it to be finalized. Across the spectrum, the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins all won. These specific victories set the Cowboys up to improve their draft position by a handful of spots. But then the Dallas Cowboys had the gall to go out and win their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let me say that I understand if you have folded up shop and want the Cowboys to tank and improve their draft position so that we do not have to endure seasons like this one ever again. There is logic to that idea. But let me also say that the other side of the coin is equally fine if that is where someone wants to live. We can have different opinions! Here are three specific opinions after a full sleep following Sunday night’s victory. It is totally fine to enjoy the recent Dallas Cowboys wins Imagine if you knew in July that the Dallas Cowboys would enter Christmas week having won four of their last five and that at that point the San Francisco 49ers would already be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. We would have been levitating. Obviously the Cowboys were eliminated at the same time that San Francisco was, and the recent winning has done nothing to hep that. The recent winning also hasn’t undone the bad that preceded it, conversations that we already had and will certainly continue to have, but the thing about the recent winning is that it is recent winning. If someone wants the Cowboys to have a higher draft pick and feels as if these four wins have damaged that cause, it is understandable. But on the other side, we have learned so much about players like Marist Liufau and Brock Hoffman in this little run. We have even learned a whole heck of a lot about leaders/cornerstones like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. Winning has been the catalyst for all of that and the opinion here is it was totally worth the drop in draft position. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. But the Cowboys have ensured that they have been winners 80% of the time through the winter holidays and in the process proven that they are not the exact frauds that we may have thought them to be. That is commendable and it is more than fine to be happy, or even proud of that. Mike Zimmer has proven that he still has it In the interest of transparency, I have been extremely critical of the Mike Zimmer hire. It seemed lazy and like the team just called an old friend in lieu of actually doing their job and turning every stone in the name of finding the best possible solution. Now to be clear, it is possible that on some level the team did not exactly stretch themselves thin after Dan Quinn left in January, but however we got here, the truest of true things is that Mike Zimmer has clearly not lost his fastball. Zimmer has reignited this defense as the season has gone along and has done so with so many important players missing time. He has settled into the rhythm of today’s game and seems to have a great feel for when to dial certain things up to create opportunities for chaos. If we are going to have conversations (and we should) about whether or not Mike McCarthy should return then Mike Zimmer absolutely has to be a part of them in the same way. He has earned his keep and proven that he can help this team in some serious ways. The most important thing now is to learn from 2024 Over the last two months or so the prevailing theme that has circled the Dallas Cowboys from a national conversation perspective has been that injuries have plagued their season. This isn’t untrue, but we all know that the team was behind the eight ball way before they ever set foot on any field. It is tiring to bring up the front office’s inactivity and reluctance to do things over and over again, but the results are what they are. This season was set up poorly under their watch and everyone who works and plays for them has done all of they could to make a proper batch of lemonade. At this point the water is well under the bridge, but it must serve as a cautionary tale for the future. If the Cowboys do not learn from the chaos that was this calendar year then it will have all been for nothing. They must be willing to do things and operate in ways that for whatever reason they have refused in the past. Extensions for players before the eleventh hour, participating in free agency, not leaving important people (coaches or players) relative to your franchise subject to national scrutiny because of the positions you put them in. We are way past time for them to shuck the ways of the past. This winning streak has been nice as we discussed a moment ago, but the true harm it can cause won’t be by dropping five spots in the draft. The worst possible result from the recent turn in fortune is the front office feeling like what they are doing is working and that status quo as is should be how they operate all of the time. Please don’t let us have gone through all of this for nothing.
3 reasons why the Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images The Cowboys were tremendous against Tampa Bay. The Dallas Cowboys entered the weekend with high hopes that they could keep their playoff hopes alive with help. They needed the Washington Commanders to lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in the early slate of the afternoon games. Unfortunately, the Eagles could not win after Jalen Hurts was knocked out of the game, and Jayden Daniels’s late-game magic sealed the win and the postseason fate of the Cowboys. However, the Cowboys played spiritedly on Sunday night, as if they were playing for something more. Here’s what stood out in their win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brandon Aubrey was automatic Even though the Cowboys scored 26 points, they didn’t punctuate as many drives with touchdowns as they would have liked. That’s okay because they have Brandon Aubrey. Once the Cowboys crossed midfield, Aubrey was immediately an option the Cowboys could turn to. He made several big-time kicks with ease. After the Buccaneers scored a touchdown before the end of the second quarter, the Cowboys needed an answer to avoid giving Tampa Bay the ball to open the second half only up by six points. Once again, Aubrey answered the call, casually making a 58-yard field goal, his second of the game, to give the Cowboys a 23-14 lead going into the break. This season, Aubrey has made 14 of 16 field goals from 50 yards or more, including a career-long goal of 65 yards. Aubrey is amazing and gave the Cowboys just enough offense to win. The secondary was outstanding The physicality displayed by the Dallas secondary is unlike anything we’ve seen in such a long time. Donovan Wilson has been known to be a thumper in the secondary and he did just that. He laid the boom on receivers over the middle of the field to dislodge the ball from receivers, including a sack on Baker Mayfield. Jourdan Lewis, in particular, was excellent. His coverage on Sterling Shepherd forced multiple incompletions, including a fourth-down stop in the first quarter. His interception of Mayfield in the end zone on a deep pass, where he was interfered with by Jalen McMillan, was one of the Cowboys’ top plays of the year. Baker goes deep for the TD… no it’s a PICK!? WHAT?! : #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock : Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2gt3cGRqHI — NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024 Lewis’ playing with a chip on his shoulder and a sizable elbow brace had something to say about those fans who were disappointed that the team won despite nothing to play for. Lewis also contributed with a sack on Mayfield as well. As a unit, the secondary held the ageless Mike Evans under 70 yards receiving. DaRon Bland made the play to seal the win with the strip fumble on Rachaad White. Hats off to this unit last night. The team has heart Although many times over the past few seasons, we’ve questioned the heart of the team and asked if they’re willing to fight when challenged, we saw that they have the desire to win even when they’re not expected to. So much has gone wrong this season for the Cowboys to be in the position where some fans would think their losing would be more advantageous, that their winning on Sunday night comes, at the very least, a disappointment and, at the most, a shock, Especially against a team who is leading their division and competing for the postseason. The Cowboys have several players out for the season on injured reserve, and still, they chose to compete, again with nothing to play for. Head coach Mike McCarthy is in most people’s crosshairs regarding what has to go first for the team to bounce back in 2025, but you can’t deny that the team looked prepared to play against a quality opponent. Offensively, the team had a great game plan to counter the Buccaneers’ blitz-happy scheme. Dallas had Cooper Rush ready to identify the blitz, get the ball out quickly to his best options, and wisely select where he had the best chance in man coverage. CeeDee Lamb is ridiculous : #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock : Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/JEmLyMdYWj — NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024 It was Week 16 of the regular season. Many players are beaten up and could easily fold the tent to prepare for the offseason, but that’s not the case. CeeDee Lamb embodies that more than anyone. For weeks, he had gutted out games with a shoulder injury that is limiting him, and weekly, he is seen writhing in pain after taking a hard fall to the ground. Yet, he’s still playing, fighting through double coverages, and putting up numbers to help his team win. Lamb posted another 100-yard game to lead all players in receiving while missing stretches of the game to manage his shoulder. For a player whose football character has come under fire in recent years, that’s a testament to his genuine dedication to the game.
Cowboys win was a pivotal moment for CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons
Cowboys win was a pivotal moment for CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons reidhanson A funny thing happened on the way to Week 16 for Dallas. Sunday afternoon’s game between the Eagles and Commanders officially eliminated the Cowboys from the postseason, and two of the biggest and most polarizing stars in town grew into undeniable leaders within the organization. Despite having “nothing to play for,” CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons played with the level of heart rarely seen under these circumstances in professional sports. The two Cowboys superstars have drawn criticism in the past for things ranging from sideline behavior, to on field body language, to selective effort, to comments and attitudes expressed between games. Legitimate or not many fans have grown weary of such antics and voiced displeasure in two of the biggest franchise cornerstones. It’s unquestionably been a trying season for the Cowboys. Injuries were catastrophic and Dallas’s hope of posting a fourth straight 12-win season was vanquished three days into November. Superstars were lost, homefield felt like a foreign land and disappointment generally reigned supreme. The loss of Dak Prescott to a season ending injury left a power vacuum in the locker room. The Cowboys had other great players but no one with the leadership skills and gravitas of the recovering quarterback. With postseason hopes gone and an uncertain future awaiting the franchise in 2025, the team had every reason in the world to mail it in. Yet in a game that in many ways meant nothing, Lamb and Parsons showed firsthand that, to them, it meant everything. Lamb, physically pained by a shoulder injury, and Parsons, absolutely exhausted carrying the load as edge rusher, showed the grit and determination that harkened back memories of heroes past. The optics of the situation showed Lamb and Parsons grow as leaders on Sunday night. It was a scene reminiscent of the Grinch overlooking Whoville on Christmas Day. It was the kind of growth that doesn’t just go away. It’s the kind of fight, kind of spirit, kind of leadership that can propel a team into a tide turning offseason. To many, Sunday’s win against Tampa Bay meant nothing more than a cruddier draft pick next April. But this win wasn’t just any win. It was a win and a performance that can change the very DNA of a locker room. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys vs Buccaneers stock report: Jourdan Lewis, DaRon Bland lead group after win
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Here is our stock report following Sunday night’s Dallas Cowboys win. As Sunday night’s Dallas Cowboys game was wrapping up, NBC’s Cris Collinsworth had quite the remark. The former wide receiver noted that what he saw from Dallas might have been the best games ever played by a secondary. His words, not mine. “TAKEN AWAY BY THE COWBOYS… INCREDIBLE!” – Mike Tirico “I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PLAY LIKE THIS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE… Mike, this may be one of the best games out of a secondary I’ve ever seen… Absolutely unbelievable.” – Cris Collinsworth ️#NFL #SNF https://t.co/4BRe6X06ZU pic.twitter.com/X8qb0PhZsQ — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 23, 2024 It was a remarkable performance from the group, and that it did not have Trevon Diggs as a part of it makes this more difficult to believe. Serious credit, as usual, belongs to Al Harris, but also to Mike Zimmer for how they had this group ready to play. While the secondary may have stole the show, the reality of Sunday night’s win is that there were a number of people who were significantly involved. This is our Stock Report following the victory and it is full of nothing but green arrows because we just saw one of the finer Cowboys games across this season as a whole. Let’s begin. Stock Up: Jourdan Lewis We have been singing Jourdan Lewis’ praises all season long and on Sunday night he proved exactly why. Players like Jourdan feel like one-in-an-era type of Cowboys who find a way to scratch, claw, fight, whatever you want to call it, and make an impact throughout the course of a tenure that we can’t believe lasted as long as it did. He is in year number eight and giving his absolute all in a game where the Cowboys were just eliminated from the playoffs. JOURDAN LEWIS!!!! (via @dallascowboys) pic.twitter.com/N6vVSRSDsD — Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) December 23, 2024 I mean this in the most complimentary way possible, Lewis has always reminded me of Orlando Scandrick in this sense. He will not go away, whether that is from the team in general or relative to the player he is guarding. He was the “other” cornerback taken in his draft class. He is one of one. What a player. Stock Up: DaRon Bland The Cowboys played most of this season without DaRon Bland and while we have yet to see a pick-six from him, we may have gotten one of the most incredible turnovers ever that he was responsible for. Just as it seemed like everything was going to fall apart for Dallas, Bland called game. VICTORY!!!! pic.twitter.com/cqOISZRUet — Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) December 23, 2024 This moment was purely DaRon Bland wanting it more than Rachaad White. That is what we love about football at its core, isn’t it? We love that one player can make a decision and act on it and enact their will in a way that beats another. Stock Up: Donovan Wilson At one point in the game Cris Collinsworth also likened Donovan Wilson to Ronnie Lott. Yes, this really happened. Sunday night was sort of that kind of game for Wilson, though. He has always been an enforcer-type player for Dallas and he was let loose over and over and over again throughout the contest. It is a bit of a skill that is hit or miss (no pun intended), but on Sunday night it was hitting all over the place. Stock Up: CeeDee Lamb Think back to when the Cowboys were obliterated by the Baltimore Ravens. It was a tough scene all the way around, but the conversations around CeeDee Lamb were not great among Cowboys fans. People were questioning his body language and all of those types of things. Now recall how Lamb has been playing over the last six weeks or so. Without his quarterback, with a shoulder ailment, on the heels of the team being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, he was giving his all like everything depended on it. Oh, and this all just happens to be after the front office absurdly delayed his contractual negotiations so far that they went past all of Oxnard. Stock Up: Jake Ferguson It has been a while since Ferguson had a moment to shine, but Sunday night showcased the volatile player who seeks out contact that we have come to know throughout his entire career to date. Expectations were high around Ferguson entering the year, and while those things weren’t fully realized, he has exemplified the no-quit attitude that is encircling the team right now. Stock Up: Marist Liufau The Cowboys may have uncovered yet another defensive stud in the making. Marist Liufau is playing as good of football as anybody on the team right now. Liufau has an aggression and physicality to him that is simply different than anybody else. He seeks chaos and is often successful in creating it. Dallas dominated Tampa so significantly in large part to the effort that he offered. Stock Up: Jalen Tolbert Multiple things can be true. It can be true that the Cowboys need to learn some things and admit them about the state of their roster so that they are not depending on players who are unlikely to take the leap into the place that the team fully needs. At the same time it can be true that someone like Jalen Tolbert can certainly contribute to the team’s success in his own way. It is good to see him have his moments. Stock Up: Nick Vigil One of the more significant moments ahead of this game on the Dallas side was Eric Kendrick’s name appearing on the inactives list. His absence called for Nick Vigil to step up and rise to the occasion. He did that and then some. What Nick Vigil did Sunday should be noted. He played more defensive snaps vs. the Bucs (69) than he had all season (53), and he had more tackles (10) than he
