Buccaneers vs. Cowboys score, live updates: Tampa Bay heads to Dallas to move closer to an NFC South title

On By Littum

Only two teams have yet to win two games at home in the NFC this season. The 2-12 New York Giants may very well be headed for the overall no. 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft and are 0-8 at home this season, while their division mates, the Dallas Cowboys, are just 1-6 in the friendly Jerry World’s confines in 2024. The Cowboys will look for another home win even if they can’t get into playoffs, with the suddenly surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers in town for Sunday Night Football.

The Bucs have won four in a row, including a 40-17 victory over the likely playoff-bound Chargers in Los Angeles last week, and have a one-game lead in the NFC South with only Carolina and New Orleans to play after tonight’s date in Dallas . That streak has come on the heels of a four-game losing streak, but in both wins and losses, Tampa Bay has lit up the scoreboard. They are third in the league in total offense per game. game (388.3 YPG) and fourth in scoring offense (28.8 PPG). Since being the last team to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, Tampa Bay is averaging nearly 31 points per game. game, where Baker Mayfield enters Week 16 ranked fourth in passing yards and third in touchdown passes in the NFL this season.

Live17 updates

  • Cowboys move quickly with their times

    Big hitters for Jake Ferguson and Brandin Cooks have Dallas in Brandon Aubrey’s field goal range after just two plays.

  • Baker Mayfield hits Jalen McMillian for six

    The Bucs offense found rhythm again on this drive at the end of a now high-scoring first half as the Cowboys led 20-14 with less than a minute left in the second quarter.

  • Ezekiel Elliott cashes in for Dallas, who goes up with two touchdowns

    His 71st rushing touchdown for Dallas. He’s on the back end of his career, but it’s still fun for Cowboys fans to watch Zeke eat. Dallas leads 20-7 as the game approaches halftime.

  • #88 in Dallas lives up to #88 in Dallas

    A playmaker in his own time, CeeDee Lamb. Dallas back in scoring position after two minute warning.

  • Dallas shuts down the Tampa Bay march with just over five minutes left in the first half

    The Dallas defense has buckled for most of the first half against the Bucs. Tampa has the only thing scoring, but other than that, it’s been a rough sledding for Baker Mayfield a company.

  • Dallas stalls — in perfect position for another Brandon Aubrey field goal

    This one was an easy chip shot, just 49 yards , for his 34th field goal of the season. He doesn’t lead the NFL in percentage, but of those 34 marks, 25 of them have now come from 40+ yards (he’s 25-of-29) in 2025.

    Cowboys lead 13-7

  • It looks like the haymakers are starting to fly. 34 yards to CeeDee Lamb on first down

    Lamb now has four catches and 38 yards after his first big one of the night.

  • Ah, there’s the Buccaneers’ offense

    Six plays, 57 yards in 3:15.

    IT looked like one of the NFL’s best offenses, and Bucky Irving sealed the deal for the Bucs with a two-yard TD rush, his seventh on the ground this season. Dallas still leads, 10-7, with 11:30 left in the first half.

  • Mike Evans is in the conversation for this century’s best receivers

    He’s 31, has opened his career with 10-straight 1,000-yard seasons and is still doing so.

  • End of first quarter: Dallas 10, Tampa Bay 0

    Dallas has looked good in the first quarter and Tampa Bay’s offense hasn’t been able to get out of first gear. The Buccaneers scored 40 points in a blowout win over the Chargers last week, but have just 41 yards and a first down in the first quarter at Dallas tonight. The Cowboys also have the ball and are looking for the three-score lead as the second quarter gets underway.

  • Cooper Rush hits Jalen Tolbert for the Dallas touchdown

    This was an absolute dot by Rush, and the Cowboys are up 10-0 early after cashing in on the turnover on downs.

  • Bucs turn it around on first downs

    A Sterling Shepard drop capped a steady drive around midfield. It was a stone cold drop and he was WIDE OPEN. Dallas has to like the result, but how they got there requires a defensive adjustment. If Tampa Bay receivers have to be open all night, it could be a long time for the Cowboys defense.

    Despite the fall, Shepard may have started the game with one of the best SNF intros ever.

  • Cooper Rush gets off to a hot start as the Cowboys take a 3-0 lead

    The Cowboys’ QB hit his first six passes to put Dallas on the road early vs. Tampa Bay, and Brandon Aubrey closed the contest with a 58-yard field goal. He is now 12-of-14 on the season from 50+ yards this year.

  • The offensive stars are out tonight in Dallas

    The Bucs are 3rd in the NFL in yards per carry. game, and Dallas has had some major problems at home this season, winning just once in seven home games.

  • Dak Prescott is still assuming a leadership role despite his season-ending injury

  • Cowboys inactive