Buccaneers at Cowboys Recap, Highlights, Final Score, More

The Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went back and forth down the stretch, but the home team prevailed for their 12th victory of 2016.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened up scoring on Sunday Night Football in Week 15 with Roberto Aguayo connecting with a 25-yard field goal. That opened up a 3-0 lead after a nine-play drive by the Buccaneers and was the lone scoring of the opening quarter against the Dallas Cowboys.

However, the Cowboys came back with most of the second-quarter scoring, including a 27-yard field goal by Dan Bailey, though the Cowboys kicker wasn’t his usual self as he missed two field goals in the first half.

Following the converted field goal by Bailey, Ezekiel Elliott scored the first touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run, ending with Zeke jumping into the Salvation Army kettle, ending a five-play drive that went for 14 yards.

Next: Zeke Celebrates TD in Salvation Army Kettle (Video)

The Cowboys gained possession of the ball following a forced fumble by the defense when Terrell McClain hit Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston before he was able to throw the football. The fumble was recovered by Maliek Collins.

Dallas went ahead 17-3 with a 2-yard run to the end zone by Dak Prescott, wrapping up a 10-play drive that totaled 64 yards. The Buccaneers ended the first-half scoring with a 34-yard field goal by Aguayo, leaving the score 17-6 at halftime.

Tampa Bay controlled the third quarter, changing the entire pace and momentum of the game. Their scoring began with a 42-yard touchdown with Winston finding Adam Humphries in stride for six points. That was later followed by the Buccaneers with a 10-yard pass from Winston to Cameron Brate, putting Tampa Bay ahead 20-17, as that stayed the score after three quarters.

Bailey had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter with 13:36 left in regulation, and he converted what was a 40-yard field goal, tying the score at 20-20. The defense of the Cowboys continued to step up, though, when David Irving sacked Winston. Later, the Tampa Bay quarterback was intercepted by Jeff Heath with 11:59 left in the game.

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A touchdown scored by Lance Dunbar on the second play of the ensuing drive was called back due to a holding penalty, eventually resulting in a 38-yard field goal by Bailey, pushing the Cowboys ahead 23-20 with 9:40 left in the game.

Dallas was able to overcome a very rare fumble by Jason Witten midway in the fourth with a big stand on defense. The Cowboys got one final field goal by Bailey and big defensive stops sealed the win. In all, the Cowboys defense forced four turnovers.

Three Stars

Ezekiel Elliott/Dak Prescott, Cowboys — The rookie rushed the ball 23 times for 159 yards and one touchdown. His longest rush went for 42 yards. Prescott finished 32-of-36 for 279 yards.

Kwon Alexander, Buccaneers — The Tampa Bay linebacker totaled 11 tackles and one forced fumble.

David Irving, Cowboys — The pass rush of Irving was excellent. He finished with two sacks and was in the face of Winston for a majority of the game, including the final offensive play of the game for Tampa Bay.

Highlights

Next Game

Next for the Cowboys is a Monday Night Football game on Dec. 26 against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Buccaneers will play at the Saints in Week 16 on Saturday, Dec. 24.