Cowboys make clutch defensive plays to stymie Bucs, pull off win

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The Dallas Cowboys threw a wrench into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC South division title hopes on Sunday thanks to clutch plays from the defense when it mattered the most.

Crucial Buccaneers drives were stopped dead in its tracks. In the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield was intercepted in the end zone by Jourdan Lewis. Then, as the Buccaneers tried to final some last-minute gusto, saw running back Rachaad White get stripped by DaRon Bland.

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) celebrate after Tolbert's touchdown catch in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

The two fourth quarter turnovers helped Dallas solidify a 26-24 win.

Cooper Rush was 26-of-35 with 292 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert. CeeDee Lamb had seven catches for 105 yards. But the story of the game was the defense.

Mayfield was sacked four times to go along with the interception and White’s fumble. He had 304 passing yards and two touchdown passes but struggled to find a consistent rhythm.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (15) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass as Payne Durham (87) looks on in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.  (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

Chauncey Golston, Micah Parsons, Donovan Wilson and Linval Joseph each had a sack.

The Cowboys were only held to three