The Cowboys have dashed the Bucs’ postseason hopes, plus great games from Jayden Daniels and Jonathan Taylor

Playing at home was a recipe for disaster for the Cowboys this season. They now improve to 2-6 at AT&T Stadium.

The loss means Tampa Bay (8-7) is no longer in first place in the NFC South. In the NFL, division winners automatically earn a spot in the playoffs, and now Atlanta leads the division. The Falcons have beaten Tampa twice and are in a tiebreaker if they finish the season tied in the standings in two weeks. Had Tampa Bay won this week, its chances of making the playoffs would have increased to 94%, according to NFL.com; The loss drops that probability to 67% with two games left.

Although its playoff fate was already sealed on Sunday, Dallas was also playing for significant stakes. Coach Mike McCarthy’s contract ends after this season, and team owners have said they will evaluate all of his work before deciding whether he will return in 2025. Having fallen to 3-7 after five straight losses, the Cowboys have found new life despite a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Dak Prescott.

Mayfield threw for 303 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but was sacked four times and was under relentless pressure for most of the second half, forcing him to evade rushing defenders. Cooper Rush threw for 292 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ victory. Of his 292 yards, 105 went to star wideout CeeDee Lamb, who caught seven passes.

While Bland’s forced fumble secured the victory, kicker Brandon Aubrey was an unsung Cowboys hero, making all four of his field goal attempts, including two from 58 yards and another from 53 yards.

Around the league

• Despite trailing by 13 points early in the fourth quarter, the Washington Commanders came back to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels finished the game with five touchdowns, none more important than Jamison Crowder’s grab in the final seconds that secured the victory. The Commanders improved to 10-5, tying the franchise’s most wins in a season since 1992. Philadelphia (12-3), previously riding a 10-game winning streak, played most of the game without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion injury late in the first quarter.
• Speaking of comebacks, the Buffalo Bills overcame a 14-point deficit in the first half to beat the New England Patriots 24-21. Quarterback Josh Allen, an MVP candidate, had a lackluster game by his standards, but running back James Cook stepped up with two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. The win prevented the Kansas City Chiefs from securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC postseason.
• Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was criticized last week for fumbling at the goal line (which angered many fantasy football owners), but he bounced back with the best individual performance of the weekend. Taylor rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries in a 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans. According to NFL.com, the Colts entered Sunday’s game with a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs with a loss, but a 15 percent chance of making the postseason with a win.