The Cowboys defeat the Buccaneers 26-24 in a massive upset

The loss was a costly defeat for Tampa Bay, which fell from first place in the NFC South to outside the playoff round.

Bland’s forced fumble was a shocking play in a game filled with such fumbles. After Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield narrowly escaped a sack and threw the ball to running back Rachaad White, Bland stripped White as he fought for more yards and then recovered the loose ball.

Mayfield completed 31 of 43 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the loss.

Meanwhile, quarterback Cooper Rush played well for the Cowboys, throwing for 292 yards and a touchdown.

Dallas put on a strong offense, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter before eventually taking a 23-14 lead at halftime. However, after a field goal on their first possession of the second half, the Cowboys did not score again. But their defense made several big stops to prevent a Tampa Bay comeback — including two crucial turnovers.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Mayfield appeared to find Jalen McMillan on a deep pass for a 46-yard touchdown, but as McMillan fell to the ground, Jourdan Lewis wrestled the ball away and was able to intercept it.

Two drives later, after the Bucs made a two-point game, Bland ended the game with his forced fumble.

Dallas performed admirably despite being eliminated from the playoffs before the game. The Cowboys improved to 7-8. They will play the Philadelphia Eagles next week.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has had a rollercoaster season. The Buccaneers started 4-2, then lost four games and then won four games in a row before losing on Sunday, dropping them to 8-7. The Bucs now have the same record as the division-leading Atlanta Falcons, but trail them in the standings after being swept in their two-game season series.

Tampa Bay plays the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.