ARLINGTON, Texas – This game had it all – big hits on defense, turnovers, sacks and, of course, great touchdown catches for both teams.
But all games have some moments that can be overlooked. Here are five plays that might be forgotten that could've changed the outcome.
First third-down conversion – Although the Cowboys entered the night with plenty of momentum from their running game, the offense opened up with two straight passes. And on third-and-2, they went for another pass, but quarterback Cooper Rush was able to convert on a 5-yard gain to Brandin Cooks. That kept the drive alive, and Dallas eventually got on the board with a 58-yard field goal. Without that first conversion, the Cowboys would've punted and given Tampa Bay decent field position. It was also the first of several over-the-middle passes the Cowboys were able to hit, exploiting a weakness in the Buccaneers defense.
Bucs have fourth-down drop – Early in the game, the Cowboys held a 3-0 lead and the Bucs were inside Dallas territory on their first possession. But on fourth-and-3, Mayfield found a wide open Sterling Shephard, who was all alone but dropped the pass. It would've been a huge gain. Instead, the Cowboys took over and marched into the end zone for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
Tolbert fights for extra yards – On a third-and-9 from their own 21-yard line late in the second quarter, the Cowboys looked on the verge of having to punt. But although Rush hit Jalen Tolbert on the left sideline short of the line to gain, the receiver fought through a tackle to dive for an extra yard and the first down. The Cowboys used the new set of downs to march into the end zone for a touchdown and a 20-7 lead.
Bucs drop an INT in fourth quarter – The Cowboys were trying to run out the clock, but with a running game that wasn't working all night, Rush tried to make a play through the air. His pass should've been picked off by Tampa Bay linebacker J.J. Russell at the Cowboys' 25-yard line. That could've changed everything as the Buccaneers were already in position to get one of the two scores they needed at the 6:20 mark. Instead, the Cowboys punted and the Bucs were flagged for a penalty, starting their possession at their own 13-yard line with 4:43 left.
Letting Mayfield continue the final pass – On the previous possession, tight end Jake Ferguson was ruled to have his forward progress stopped before a late fumble that would've given the Bucs the ball in position to kick a go-ahead field goal. After the Cowboys' ensuing punt, it appeared Baker Mayfield was stopped for a sack, but the officials didn't stop the play and allowed him to dump off a pass to Rachaad White, who was stripped of the ball by DaRon Bland, giving the Cowboys the win.
