The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to Dallas needing a win on Sunday Night Football. However, they failed and lost to the Cowboys 26:24. A win was crucial to stay ahead of the Atlanta Falcons, who won their game against the Giants today, but the loss leaves them tied for first place in the NFC South. The problem with that? Atlanta holds the tiebreaker after beating the Bucs twice in the regular season.

Now the Bucs are back in a position where they need a little luck to win their fourth straight NFC South title. For Tampa Bay, it’s the Panthers and Saints, while Atlanta has the Commanders and Panthers. There is still a path to the playoffs even if the Bucs don’t win the division, but it will take a lot of luck and them to win. Here’s who shined and who struggled in the Bucs’ brutal loss to the Cowboys.

RB Bucky Irving

It didn’t take long for Irving to get going. The Bucs’ rookie running back rushed for 28 yards with a long of 15 en route to a two-yard touchdown plunge to give Tampa Bay its first points of the day. Bucky managed another 40 yards that day, bringing his total to 68 yards.

Two minute offense

The Bucs’ offense was methodical at the start of the two-minute drill at the end of the first half. Baker delivered a masterful performance, beating Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard for big gains before ending the drive with an 11-yard strike to Jalen McMllan to make it 1-0. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen called the players a nice performance.

Run defense

While the passing game was cooking for the Cowboys, the running game wasn’t having much success. Dallas tried to get the running game going, but the Bucs defense was just too stingy to give up any yards. They totaled just 28 yards on 17 attempts that day.

LG Ben Bredeson

Bredeson had a hold call on the first drive after a seven-yard scramble by Baker Mayfield that would have given the Bucs a new set of downs. The Bucs did manage to convert the ball, but it slowed momentum and the ball ended up turning over on downs. Bredeson also gave up the constant pressure that evening.

WR Sterling Shepard

Shepard had a tough drop on a 4th-and-3 on the game’s first drive that would have turned into a first down. Shepard had another big drop on the second drive of the game on 3rd and 4 that would move the chains. He had a big 20-yard grab but injured his hamstring, causing him to miss the rest of the game.

CB Zyon McCollum

McCollum was hit by Lamb for a 52-yard catch and run in the final minutes of the first half to give the Cowboys a score before halftime. He was also asked to sit through the play. McCollum’s play was patchy all day and, like so many others, he struggled with tackling.

Stick with it Bucs game day for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 season.

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