Mike McCarthy clearly made a risky bet that paid off: 5 takeaways from Cowboys' win over Bucs
The Dallas Cowboys arrived at AT&T Stadium mathematically eliminated and as four-point underdogs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But they sure came out swinging, taking an early 10-0 lead that they never surrendered. With an all-around effort, the Cowboys beat the Bucs 26-24, improving to 7-8 and let's be honest, worsening their draft position. But who […]
The Dallas Cowboys arrived at AT&T Stadium mathematically eliminated and as four-point underdogs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But they sure came out swinging, taking an early 10-0 lead that they never surrendered.
With an all-around effort, the Cowboys beat the Bucs 26-24, improving to 7-8 and let's be honest, worsening their draft position. But who cares about those April problems so let's enjoy ourselves.
It wasn't exactly expected but let's dive into five takeaways from the Cowboys' seventh win of the season.
Mike McCarthy bet on key Bucs' weakness and won
It became clear since early in the game that the Cowboys play-calling focused on letting Cooper Rush sling the football over feeding Rico Dowdle, a risky proposition considering the latter strategy was working very well in recent weeks while Rush has had some rough moments as a passer. But not on Sunday night.
Even before the fourth quarter got going, Rush already had his second-highest passing total of the season at 262, which he boosted to 292 in the second half. Taking advantage of the Bucs being down starting safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Rush challenged the opposing secondary with several deep shots.
Rush averaged 8.6 yards per attempt, up from his season average entering the year of 5.7. It was a clear change from the way the Cowboys had been doing things and it was perfect timing.
Cowboys defense was flying around
Marist Liufau and Donovan Wilson both broke up potential catches by laying the boom on the Bucs' offense. Jourdan Lewis (who got a late interception) and DaRon Bland (who sealed the game with a forced fumble) also added passes defended. Meanwhile, the Cowboys forced two fumbles and recorded four sacks.
Something has clicked for Mike Zimmer's defense in the second half of the season and the intensity has been there despite the low stakes for an already-eliminated team.
Overall, the Cowboys did a good job against a Tampa Bay offense than entered the game with the fifth-highest EPA/play. Though they gave up some explosive gains and drives, they made up for it with splash plays across the board.
Brandon Aubrey is utterly marvelous
Make that four field goals for Aubrey good for a combined 218 yards. What else is there to say?
Even in such a dark season for the Cowboys, he's been close to perfect for the season.
CeeDee Lamb is truly special
You've got to hand it to Lamb. Despite being banged up since Week 9, he keeps showing up. Not only did he record 105 yards in seven catches, but the recorded 34 and 52-yard gains before setting up Ezekiel Elliott's touchdown with a 10-yard gain he willed into existence with seven yards after the catch whilst fighting through Bucs defenders.
Lamb got paid this offseason and regardless of the team's playoff chances, he's done his absolute best to prove it was worth it on a weekly basis.
Are the Cowboys fighting for… McCarthy?
We can have a deeper conversation about whether or not head coach Mike McCarthy deserves a contract extension another time but let's be fair. The Cowboys team that took the field at AT&T Stadium was one that was fighting for its coach with a shocking intensity for a team that was mathematically eliminated from the postseason earlier in the day.
Is that enough for the Cowboys to run it back? I don't know. But it's noteworthy and it should be a part of the conversation.
