No playoffs, but far from a meaningless victory

ARLINGTON — The win meant nothing to the Cowboys’ playoff hopes.

But it would be a mistake to call it pointless.

An undermanned team that had the playoff rug pulled out from under them before the game started came out and led the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers from start to finish.

Dallas 26, Tampa Bay 24 is the latest example of the Cowboys recovering from a rough start. Dallas has now won four of its last five games heading into Philadelphia next weekend.

Here’s our Cowboys-Buccaneers report card.

Crime

Dominant? Far from it. You can’t scrape together just 31 yards and dominate every opponent.

But Cooper Rush picked apart the Bucs defense by completing more than 74 percent of his passes with four completions going over 20 yards. The Cowboys offense scored on six of its first seven possessions and did not turn the ball over.

Grade: B-plus

Defense

The Bucs entered the game ranked third in total yards and fourth in scoring, averaging 28.8 points. This was a balanced, explosive offense with quarterback Baker Mayfield playing the best ball of his NFL career.

It wasn’t like that on Sunday. Mayfield was sacked four times and threw an interception. The Bucs were held to 17 points until the game’s final three minutes, and with hopes of a game-winning drive to end the game, the Dallas defense quickly beat them by forcing a fumble.

Grade: A-minus

Special teams

Brandon Aubrey opened the scoring Sunday night with a 58-yard field goal. He made another 58-yard field goal to end the half, then added a 53-yarder in the third quarter for good measure.

Aubrey has now made 14 field goals of 50 or more yards this season, an NFL record. And guess what? He has made 41 of 42 field-goal attempts at AT&T Stadium in his two seasons.

Grade: A

Coaching

Mike McCarthy knew Tampa’s defense would load the box to take away the run game. He also knew Rico Dowdle had rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games coming into this one.

But McCarthy didn’t beat his, or Dowdle’s, head against the wall. He flipped the game plan to the passing game, calling just enough run attempts to keep the play-action pass a threat. And when the Cowboys found themselves in the shadow of the goal post, he turned to his best goal line runner, Ezekiel Elliott, for the score.

Grade: B-plus

Overall

The Cowboys’ margin for success these days is razor sharp with all the key injuries they’ve suffered. Dallas has done a good job of walking that line in recent weeks.

They did it again Sunday night.

Grade: B-plus

2024 season report card

― Cowboys-Browns report card: Dallas has a thorough, compelling effort from Week 1

— Cowboys-Saints report card: Was there a unit grade higher than ‘D’ after loss?

— Cowboys-Ravens report card: Another home loss, another failing grade

— Cowboys-Giants report card: Dallas did what it needed to do

— Cowboys-Steelers report card: Don’t minimize the importance of this road win

— Cowboys-Lions report card: A harrowing showcase for ineptitude

― Cowboys-49ers report card: As damaging as an October loss can be

― Cowboys-Falcons report card: Not a good day for coach Mike McCarthy

― Cowboys-Eagles report card: An immobile passing attack set the tone

― Cowboys-Texans report card: Putting the D in Dallas … once again

― Cowboys-Commanders report card: Wild finish doesn’t tarnish this win

― Cowboys-Giants report card: A good step forward regardless of competition

― Cowboys-Bengals report card: Finest loss of the season?

– Cowboys-Panthers report card: Why can’t this team play like this at home?

Photos: Cowboys fans’ hearts grow three sizes as Dallas takes on Tampa Bay

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