NFL: Dallas Cowboys 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 recap and analysis

..... The home team started with the possession of the ball and after they came in Bucs' territory due to a powerful running game but an holding penalty compromised it forcing them to try a 56 yards FG that Bailey missed short giving Tampa Bay the ball around midfield. The visitors kept the balance all drive long moving the ball effectively just on a pass interference penalty on Brandon Carr against Mike Evans on jump ball, once in the redzone the Cowboys defense stepped up forcing them to put Aguayo on the field to kick and made a 25 yards FG. On the following drive the Cowboys drove well the ball downfield like in the previous one with a precise Prescott in the pocket and a powerful running game that created problems to the Bucs' front seven but once again a silly penalty killed their drive giving them just 3 points due to a Bailey's FG at the beginning of the second quarter. The Cowboys defense got the ball back for their offense on the 14 yards of Tampa Bay thanks to a very well designed and executed blitz that brought McClain force Winston to fumble the ball. Dallas offense didn't miss the great opportunity scoring 7 on a inside run by Elliott that entered in the end zone untouched thanks to a great job by his entire o-line. Dallas scored on the third straight drive moving the ball so well thanks by an excellent drive by Prescott who continued to distributing well the passes to every receiver he had on the field until he run a QB draw close to the goaline for his first rushing TD of the night. The Buccaneers reacted on their last drive of the first half when Winston got on rhythm with medium range passes driving the ball down field easly until he committed a stupid penalty that like happened for the home team earlier killed their drive giving them just 3 points on a 34 yards FG by Aguayo. 

The opening drive of the second half saw the visitors scoring a 42 yards receiving TD with Humphries  on a deep post route after Brandon Carr deflected it trying to deny the catch to his opponent. Tampa Bay continued to roll on both offense and defense; they scored for their third straight drive completing the comeback and going ahead by 3 points thanks to a great drive all made by passes ended with a receiving TD by Cameron Brate on a post route to beat the man coverage of SS Byron Jones. The Cowboys tied the game at 20 at the beginning of the fourth quarter thanks to a balanced drive that brought them in the Bucs' territory where Bailey made his second field goal of the night from the 40 yards. Tampa Bay's offense ended the game in the worst way possible with 2 interceptions, the first by Heath on their 22 yard line that gave 3 points to the Cowboys due to a Bailey's FG, the second to Scandrick that ended the game in favor of the home team.


Offensive MVP: Ezekiell Elliott

Defensive MVP: Sean Lee