season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-mike-mccarthy-shuts-down-calls-trey-lance-start');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mike McCarthy shuts down calls for Trey Lance to start');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cowboys-news-Mike-McCarthy-shuts-down-calls-for-Trey-Lance-to-start.jpg"></figure><h1>Mike McCarthy shuts down calls for Trey Lance to start</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T17:10:09-08:00">December 23rd, 5:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T17:22:54-08:00">December 23rd, 5:22pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Despite being eliminated from the playoffs after the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-news-eagles-choke-commanders-eliminates-49ers-cowboys">Washington Commanders’ wild win</a> over the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the day, the Dallas Cowboys took the field Sunday night ready to play. Dallas beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24 in Week 16, improving to 7-8 on the season. The team has now won four of its last five games.</p><p>Cooper Rush has played well filling in for Dak Prescott. After a solid performance against the Bucs, Cowboys’ coach Mike McCarthy has no intention of <a href="https://x.com/jonmachota/status/1871315443161374762" rel="noopener">making a change</a>.</p><p>“The mindset is to win. We’re going to Philadelphia to win the game,” McCarthy said after being asked if he planned to give Trey Lance a start in place of Rush, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota on X. The veteran coach wryly added, “The crowd is gonna welcome us with open arms like they always do.”</p><p>Rush made his first start of the season against the Eagles in a Week 10 blowout loss. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-dak-prescott-knocked-out-falcons-hamstring-injury">Prescott suffered a hamstring injury</a> against the Atlanta Falcons the previous week. Ultimately, the ninth-year veteran <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-dak-prescott-to-undergo-season-ending-surgery">underwent season-ending surgery</a>, leaving a massive void in the Cowboys’ offense.</p><h2><b>The Cowboys don’t care about assessing Trey Lance before he hits free agency</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Trey-Lance.jpg"><figcaption>Tim Heitman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Rush played poorly against Philly and the team briefly turned to Lance. But the fourth-year passer was even worse, finishing the game with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-why-trey-lance-fined-22511-eagles">more fines than touchdowns</a>. The Cowboys <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-mike-mccarthy-sticking-with-cooper-rush-trey-lance-despite-45-yard-game">decided to stick with Rush</a> moving forward and while that appeared to be shortsighted at the time, it was absolutely the right call. After starting the season 3-5 with Prescott leading the offense, Dallas has gone 4-3 with Rush under center.</p><p>Nonetheless, the Cowboys surrendered a fourth-round pick to acquire <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/trey-lance-trade-grading-cowboys-49ers-deal">Lance in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers</a> last offseason. And although <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-stephen-jones-has-no-remorse-trey-lance-trade">Stephen Jones does not regret</a> landing the former first-rounder, Lance is set to become a free agent after this season. In two years with Dallas, he has two appearances, six pass attempts, zero touchdowns and one interception. And while it seems likely the Cowboys burned a fourth-round pick, everybody appears to be okay with it.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-wild-ending-vs-buccaneers-sparks-wild-reactions">Dallas got an incredible win</a> over the 8-7 Buccaneers Sunday night. Rush offered just enough production to get the victory and the Cowboys’ defense was relentless. The veteran passer went 26/35 for 292 yards with a touchdown and no turnovers.</p><p>The win likely saved McCarthy’s job as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-jerry-jones-immediate-reaction-mike-mccarthy-performance-week-16-win">Jerry Jones was effusive in praising the coach</a> following the game. Jones has repeatedly insisted that he would not fire McCarthy during the season. However, he’s in the last year of his five-year contract and the team is enduring a massively disappointing season. But Cowboys’ players made it clear they have not quit on McCarthy in a nationally televised game in Week 16. And that’s probably enough for Jones to bring him back in 2025.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mike McCarthy shuts down calls for Trey Lance to start

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-ezekiel-elliot-finally-ends-drought-lasted-2-years');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott finally ends drought that lasted nearly 2 years');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ezekiel-Elliott-finally-ends-drought-that-lasted-nearly-two-years_4b3258.jpg"></figure><h1>Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott finally ends drought that lasted nearly 2 years</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T11:34:22-08:00">December 23rd, 11:34am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T11:34:22-08:00">December 23rd, 11:34am</time><address><a>Daniel Locke</a>Daniel Locke covers the New Orleans Pelicans and is an Associate Editor for ClutchPoints. He will graduate from Auburn University with a degree in Journalism in May. Daniel has covered Auburn Athletics for the entirety of his time as a student, focusing on football, men's basketball, and baseball.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-mike-mccarthys-admission-learning-cowboys-playoff-elimination">Dallas Cowboys held off a late push by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> in their Week 16 matchup, coming out on top 26-24 at home inside AT&amp;T Stadium. This victory was extra meaningful for Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot, who is closing in on Cowboys’ history and put a bad drought to bed.</p><p>“Ezekiel Elliott with the 1-yard TD run ups Dallas’ lead to 20-7 with 1:45 left in the half. It’s Elliott’s third rushing TD of the season and 71st of his career. Only <a href="https://x.com/toddarcher/status/1871023261259088038" rel="noopener">Tony Dorsett (72) and Emmitt Smith (153)</a> have had more in Cowboys’ history,” Todd Archer of ESPN reported.</p><p>In addition to bringing him within a touchdown from overtaking Dorsett for the No. 2 spot on the Cowboys’ all-time rushing touchdowns list, Elliot’s one-yard scoring run ended his AT&amp;T Stadium touchdown drought that extended back to the 2022 season.</p><p>Elliot <a href="https://x.com/statmusefb/status/1871023572329881799" rel="noopener">had not scored at home</a> since December 2022, according to StatMuse. That touchdown came in the first quarter of Dallas’ 40-34 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Eve.</p><p>The Cowboys have not had a 2024 campaign to write home about as they sit at 7-8, third place in the NFC East, only beating out the 2-13 New York Giants, and eliminated from playoff contention. Despite this, Elliot’s Week 16 success could provide him with motivation to finish the season strong.</p><h2><b>Cowboys playing hard to salvage Mike McCarthy’s job</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ezekiel-Elliott.jpg"><figcaption>Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Despite their 2024 season not having the outcome expected of them, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-jerry-jones-immediate-reaction-mike-mccarthy-performance-week-16-win">Cowboys do not appear interested in going out quietly</a>.</p><p>After a 3-7 start to the season, Dallas has won four of its last five contests, including two wins over playoff contenders Washington Commanders and the Buccaneers.</p><p>Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has often been under scrutiny throughout his tenure at the helm of the franchise, but he does not appear to have lost the locker room, as his team is still putting its best foot forward each week.</p><p>The Cowboys’ final two games of the season put them up against the Eagles and Commanders. Winning both games would give Dallas a 9-8 record to end the season as well as shake things up in the NFC standings as the regular season comes to an end.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott finally ends drought that lasted nearly 2 years

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-mike-mccarthys-admission-learning-cowboys-playoff-elimination');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mike McCarthy’s admission on learning of Cowboys playoff elimination before game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Mike-McCarthys-admission-on-learning-of-playoff-elimination-before-game.jpg"></figure><h1>Mike McCarthy’s admission on learning of Cowboys playoff elimination before game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T08:58:35-08:00">December 23rd, 8:58am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T08:58:35-08:00">December 23rd, 8:58am</time><address><a>Michael Whitaker</a>Michael Whitaker is an experienced NHL and NFL writer and also covers local Detroit sports for Bally Sports Detroit. He has a Bachelor's Degree in journalism from Eastern Michigan University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Despite earning a victory on Sunday over the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-wild-ending-vs-buccaneers-sparks-wild-reactions"> Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys</a> learned before their matchup that it was mathematically impossible for them to return to the postseason.</p><p>The grim news was confirmed to the team not long before kickoff, something that head coach Mike McCarthy<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43121330/eliminated-dallas-cowboys-hold-tampa-bay-buccaneers" rel="noopener"> admitted was difficult to take in</a> via ESPN.</p><p>“Before the game was a real punch in the gut, to say the least,” McCarthy said.</p><p>“I just love the way our team plays,” McCarthy said about the team win. “I just can’t say enough about the locker room. Their pride. Their character. Their toughness. Resiliency.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-jerry-jones-immediate-reaction-mike-mccarthy-performance-week-16-win">McCarthy met with team owner and general manager Jerry Jones</a> prior to the game, a meeting he said didn’t involve much conversation.</p><p>“There wasn’t a whole lot of conversation about it,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “I made the point before the game, `Jjust play the way we always play. We’re playing really dang good football these past four, five weeks. Let’s grind this thing out.’”</p><p>The Cowboys continue their schedule when they face the rival Philadelphia Eagles on the road next Sunday.</p><h2><b>What does the future hold for Mike McCarthy as Cowboys coach? </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dallas-Cowboys-head-coach-Mike-McCarthy.jpg"><figcaption>Tim Heitman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Mike McCarthy’s future with the Cowboys remains uncertain, as he currently does not have a contract beyond this season. Jerry Jones has spoken highly of McCarthy, and pushed back on the notion of making an in-season coaching change, a practice he admitted that he regretted earlier in his tenure.</p><p>This situation isn’t new for the Cowboys, as former head coach Jason Garrett also coached twice in the final year of his contract without an extension. Garrett received a five-year extension in 2014 but was not retained after the 2019 season.</p><p>Since taking over the Cowboys, McCarthy has accumulated a regular season record of 49-33, but a 1-3 postseason record.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mike McCarthy’s admission on learning of Cowboys playoff elimination before game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-jerry-jones-immediate-reaction-mike-mccarthy-performance-week-16-win');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jerry Jones’ immediate reaction to Mike McCarthy’s performance after Cowboys’ Week 16 win');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cowboys-news-Jerry-Jones-immediate-reaction-to-Mike-McCarthys-performance-after-Week-16-win.jpg"></figure><h1>Jerry Jones’ immediate reaction to Mike McCarthy’s performance after Cowboys’ Week 16 win</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T07:07:52-08:00">December 23rd, 7:07am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T07:07:52-08:00">December 23rd, 7:07am</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/bingeable">Sonny Giuliano</a>Sonny Giuliano is an experienced sports writer for ClutchPoints who has been covering the NFL, NCAA Football, NBA, and NCAA Basketball for well over a decade. Originally from the small town of Elba, New York, Sonny received his degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Heading into their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-vs-cowboys-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16">Sunday Night Football matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>, the Dallas Cowboys had already been mathematically eliminated from the postseason thanks to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-news-eagles-choke-commanders-eliminates-49ers-cowboys">thrilling comeback victory by the Washington Commanders</a> earlier in the day. However, it became clear right out of the gate nobody in the Cowboys locker room had gotten the memo that they didn’t have anything to play for.</p><p>In front of the home crowd at JerryWorld, the Cowboys jumped out to a 20-7 lead, led by nine at halftime, and hung on in the 2nd half to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-wild-ending-vs-buccaneers-sparks-wild-reactions">secure a 26-24 win over a Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> team that <i>very much needed </i>this game in order to maintain a lead over <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/falcons-news-michael-penix-jr-instant-reaction-successful-first-start">the Michael Penix-led Atlanta Falcons</a> in the NFC South division.</p><p>After the game, Dallas Cowboys owner/president/general manager Jerry Jones <a href="https://x.com/jonmachota/status/1871056922721304788" rel="noopener">applauded his team’s effort</a>, and made sure to give proper credit to head coach Mike McCarthy, who has kept his team competitive despite being <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-dallas-officially-places-dak-prescott-ir-season-ending-injury">without 2023 NFL MVP runner-up Dak Prescott over the last two months</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cowboys owner Jerry Jones with a lot of praise for Mike McCarthy after tonight’s win. He’s gone out of his way to give credit to the Cowboys head coach while answering multiple questions <a href="https://t.co/sASH6FzN0S">pic.twitter.com/sASH6FzN0S</a></p><p>— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1871056922721304788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>While this may seem like nothing more than a typical post-game speech from a guy who has done a lot of them in his three-plus decades in Dallas, it’s at least a little telling considering how disappointing this season has been, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-mike-mccarthy-hot-seat-label-media">how long Mike McCarthy has been on the hot seat</a>. The fact that Dallas has won four of their last five games shows that at the very least, the team hasn’t quit on McCarthy just yet.</p><p>With two games remaining on their schedule, the Cowboys are two wins away from their fourth consecutive winning season. The last time Dallas had four straight seasons with a winning record was when Wade Phillips was coaching the team and was above .500 for five straight years from 2005 to 2009.</p><p>However, getting those two wins may be easier said than done. Dallas is at Philadelphia next week, though the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/eagles-news-kenny-pickett-leads-td-drive-jalen-hurts-evaluated-concussion">Eagles <i>may </i>be without Jalen Hurts, who left Sunday’s game with a concussion</a>. Dallas hosts Washington in the final week of the season, but at that point, the Commanders could be locked into the 7-seed in the NFC and not have anything to play for.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jerry Jones’ immediate reaction to Mike McCarthy’s performance after Cowboys’ Week 16 win

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-ceedee-lamb-willing-sacrifice-body-amid-concerning-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb willing to sacrifice body amid concerning injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cowboys-news-CeeDee-Lamb-willing-to-sacrifice-body-amid-concerning-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb willing to sacrifice body amid concerning injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T07:01:20-08:00">December 23rd, 7:01am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T07:02:05-08:00">December 23rd, 7:02am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Players craft their legacies and earn their paychecks based on how they perform during the big moments, but respect can be truly forged by how they carry themselves in the seemingly insignificant ones. Just hours after the Dallas Cowboys were officially eliminated from playoff contention, a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-ceedee-lamb-shares-eye-opening-admission-amid-career-worst-stat">banged-up CeeDee Lamb</a> embodied remarkable persistence and leadership.</p><p>The star wide receiver pushed through his lingering shoulder injury and continued to take the field with his teammates, finishing with seven receptions for 105 yards in Sunday’s riveting <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-wild-ending-vs-buccaneers-sparks-wild-reactions">26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>. Lamb inflicted nearly all of his damage in the first half, but <a href="https://x.com/jonmachota/status/1871065608072167558" rel="noopener">his insistence to gut out</a> the obvious pain will make fans even prouder to wear his No. 88 jersey.</p><p>“My shoulder is outta whack, I’m not gonna even lie to you,” the 2023 All-Pro told the media, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I’m just out there battling and doing what I do. It’s not fun… I love this game that much. I’m literally willing to put my body out there on the line for my guys.”</p><h2><b>CeeDee Lamb believes his dedication should be unquestioned</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cowboys-WR-CeeDee-Lamb-works-his-way-down-the-field.jpg"><figcaption>Tim Heitman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A wide receiver’s innate and intense desire to have the ball in his hands has led to the term “diva” being frequently used to describe the position. Lamb’s own heated sideline exchanges have convinced many people that he is deserving of that label, but through his fierce commitment to the 7-8 Cowboys, the 25-year-old is showing the public what genuinely fuels him on the gridiron.</p><p>Although he values the green like everyone else, his competitive fire burned blindingly bright in AT&amp;T Stadium in Week 16.</p><p>“I feel like now I’ve kinda went way past the narrative of the money situation,” CeeDee Lamb said, referencing the perception many had of him during his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-emmitt-smith-unacceptable-ceedee-lamb-contract-strategy">lengthy contract holdout</a>. “I do it for the money, of course, but it’s way more than that. … I’m living my dream. For anyone that’s thinking that I’m (only) playing for the money is kind of insane.”</p><h2><b>Cowboys are showing their passion</b></h2><p>The No. 17 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft will now force fans to think twice when doubting his devotion to the Dallas locker room. He has cleared the obligatory top receiver benchmarks, accruing 101 catches and 1,194 yards in 15 games, but his tenacity is making just as loud of a statement.</p><p>The Cowboys are in a tough spot entering the offseason, as they fall alarmingly far from the NFL’s upper echelon. Though, on the heels of a hard-fought victory against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, this franchise is arguably exhibiting the very traits it has been accused of lacking in recent years. In a twist of irony, is it possible that America’s Team is actually turning a corner when the stakes are at their lowest?</p><p>Fans do not care how a breakthrough happens. They will celebrate this supposedly “meaningless” outcome if the Cowboys evolve next season. And they will extol Lamb as a catalyst of change.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb willing to sacrifice body amid concerning injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-weapon-injury-snf-cowboys');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield loses weapon to injury during SNF vs. Cowboys');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfield-loses-weapon-to-injury-during-SNF-vs.-Cowboys.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield loses weapon to injury during SNF vs. Cowboys</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T21:27:27-08:00">December 22nd, 9:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T21:27:27-08:00">December 22nd, 9:27pm</time><address><a>Dakota Zientek</a>Dakota Zientek graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 and has been writing about the NFL ever since. As a die-hard NFL fan, Dakota's fandom rides with the Chicago Bears through thick and thin -- regardless of how much pain it has caused his heart throughout the years. One day, he believes he will celebrate the Bears winning a Super Bowl. Maybe even... a few?</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>During Sunday Night Football, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-vs-cowboys-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16">Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the Dallas Cowboys</a>, and receiver Sterling Shepard left the game with a hamstring injury. He was later <a href="https://x.com/JennaLaineESPN/status/1871038215928647823" rel="noopener">ruled out</a>, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine on X.</p><p>Shepard made it mostly through the first quarter, hauling in just one pass for 20 yards on Sunday night.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucs-news-lavonte-david-hypes-up-rookie-jalen-mcmillan#:~:text=McMillan%20is%20one%20of%20three,of%20flying%20under%20the%20radar.">Rookie Jalen McMillan</a> stepped up in Shepard’s place, scoring a touchdown late in the first half and cutting their deficit to seven points.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard having improved 2024 season</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sterling-Shepard.jpg"><figcaption>Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After eight seasons with the New York Giants, Sterling Shepard signed with the Buccaneers in free agency. With a new environment and better quarterback <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-reunites-baker-mayfield-former-oklahoma-weapon">play alongside his former college teammate</a> Baker Mayfield, Sterling is seeing a revival of his career in Tampa Bay.</p><p>In his first season in Tampa Bay, Shepard has caught 31 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown.</p><p>Upon signing with the team, there were reasons to believe he wouldn’t have much of an impact. Sterling joined the Buccaneers following consecutive seasons with fewer than 200 receiving yards, and the bar wasn’t incredibly high.</p><p>However, he’s been a consistent player for Mayfield and the Buccaneers to count on, especially with the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-mike-evans-suffers-concerning-injury-vs-ravens">injuries to Mike Evans</a> and Chris Godwin.</p><p>Once Godwin got placed on the IR after suffering a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-chris-godwin-suffers-apparent-gruesome-injury-in-loss-to-ravens">season-ending ankle injury</a> against the Baltimore Ravens, Shepard’s role expanded.</p><p>From Week 8 on, Shepard finished just two games with fewer than five targets— not including Week 16, after exiting in the first quarter.</p><p>Now, as the Buccaneers rely on the Atlanta Falcons to lose for a chance at making the playoffs, they don’t control their own postseason destiny.</p><p>And after losing Shepard, McMillan’s role could expand, as the rookie has strung together a few strong performances heading into Week 16.</p><p>Tampa Bay has a chance of making the playoffs, but it’s a much lower chance following their loss.</p><p>Shepard’s return time is unclear, but with their playoff door closing, the hope is that he’ll be back soon.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield loses weapon to injury during SNF vs. Cowboys

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-wild-ending-vs-buccaneers-sparks-wild-reactions');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cowboys’ wild ending vs. Buccaneers has fans exploding with reactions');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cowboys-news-Wild-ending-to-Dallas-win-vs.-Buccaneers-has-fans-exploding-with-reactions.jpg"></figure><h1>Cowboys’ wild ending vs. Buccaneers has fans exploding with reactions</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T21:22:55-08:00">December 22nd, 9:22pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T21:24:33-08:00">December 22nd, 9:24pm</time><address><a>Lorenzo J Reyna</a>Lorenzo J Reyna has joined ClutchPoints as Associate Editor of NFL &amp; NCAA Football. He's equipped with past experience for both realms through his recent stops at Pro Football Network and Heavy while also writing for 247Sports. His Twitter/X handle is @LJ_Reyna and his Instagram is @lj_zo_rey.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Dallas Cowboys stole victory from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, literally. DaRon Bland snatched the soul of the NFC South leaders, by snatching the ball away.</p><p>The 2023 Pro Bowl cornerback ripped the football away from Rachaad White, all while Bland was falling on his back.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Baker Mayfield escapes pressure and gets it to Rachaad White and DaRon Bland STRIPS him 🔥</p><p>What a play 🤯<a href="https://t.co/4JAgFEen0f">pic.twitter.com/4JAgFEen0f</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1871052729566839180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Bland’s game-sealing forced fumble and recovery rewarded Dallas with the 26-24 home win. And while the Cowboys are no longer in the playoff mix, <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1871052634096054729" rel="noopener">they’ve disrupted this element</a> for the Buccaneers as mentioned by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.</p><p>“Tampa Bay no longer controls its fate; it needs the Falcons to lose again,” Schefter posted on X.</p><p>A Bucs victory would’ve positioned the Bucs to clinch the division next Sunday, Dec. 29. But Atlanta has new life in the race for the NFC South.</p><p>But back to Bland’s epic play. He sparked a flurry of reactions online.</p><h2><b>Cowboys’ wild ending came with souvenir </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Daron-Bland-vs.-Mike-Evans.jpg"><figcaption>Tim Heitman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Bland walked away with a souvenir after the win, which ESPN Cowboys insider Ed Werder caught.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">DaRon Bland, who had the final takeaway in the Cowboys upset over the Buccaneers, carries a souvenir into the locker room. <a href="https://t.co/LDl8enfhKb">pic.twitter.com/LDl8enfhKb</a></p><p>— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/WerderEdNFL/status/1871054257748640095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Cowboys’ X account even ribbed the Bucs. They posted “sank that ship” <a href="https://x.com/dallascowboys/status/1871053382242238801" rel="noopener">in their caption that went viral on social media</a>. NBC Dallas reporter Pat Doney, meanwhile, captured a gleeful Jerry Jones heading to the locker room.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jerry Jones with a mini celebration dance as he heads to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dallascowboys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dallascowboys</a> locker room after the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cowboys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cowboys</a> win.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/DR6BYx4iEZ">pic.twitter.com/DR6BYx4iEZ</a></p><p>— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatDoneyNBC5/status/1871053710958489857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Speaking of Jones, he handed praise to head coach Mike McCarthy via Jon Machota of The Athletic.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cowboys owner Jerry Jones with a lot of praise for Mike McCarthy after tonight’s win. He’s gone out of his way to give credit to the Cowboys head coach while answering multiple questions <a href="https://t.co/sASH6FzN0S">pic.twitter.com/sASH6FzN0S</a></p><p>— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1871056922721304788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Jeff Darlington of ESPN <a href="https://x.com/JeffDarlington/status/1871053070517383320" rel="noopener">felt the emotions</a> of the Cowboys win.</p><p>“Man, that whole game felt like playoff football — which says quite a lot about a Cowboys team that was eliminated from the postseason. The Bucs were also battling. What a strangely and wildly entertaining night. One of the better games of the season,” Darlington posted.</p><p>Dallas learned its not heading to the playoffs because of the rival Washington Commanders. Washington won its 10th game to eliminate the Cowboys.</p><p>Bland and Dallas, however, injected hope into the Falcons by stealing the win over the Bucs. Dallas led most of the night. Even star edge rusher <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-micah-parsons-joins-elite-company-with-milestone-sack">Micah Parsons hit a new career milestone against the Bucs</a>. The Cowboys endured adversity momentarily too — with All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb leaving momentarily with an injury.</p><p>But the CB who missed 10 games due to a stress fracture in his foot delivered his biggest play of the year — and a memorable one for the Cowboys’ 2024 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cowboys’ wild ending vs. Buccaneers has fans exploding with reactions

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-micah-parsons-joins-elite-company-with-milestone-sack');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cowboys’ Micah Parsons joins elite company with milestone sack');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cowboys-news-Micah-Parsons-joins-elite-company-with-milestone-sack.jpg"></figure><h1>Cowboys’ Micah Parsons joins elite company with milestone sack</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T20:39:04-08:00">December 22nd, 8:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T20:41:42-08:00">December 22nd, 8:41pm</time><address><a>Lorenzo J Reyna</a>Lorenzo J Reyna has joined ClutchPoints as Associate Editor of NFL &amp; NCAA Football. He's equipped with past experience for both realms through his recent stops at Pro Football Network and Heavy while also writing for 247Sports. His Twitter/X handle is @LJ_Reyna and his Instagram is @lj_zo_rey.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons hit a new milestone on Sunday night. The sack artist placed his name into elite company across NFL history, all while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-micah-parsons-likely-playing-status-vs-buccaneers">Parsons overcame an illness to play</a>.</p><p>Parsons added sack number 8.5 on the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, that now gives him 50 for his career. Parsons <a href="https://x.com/DallasCowboysPR/status/1871033194289787298" rel="noopener">now joins five other star pass rushers</a> by hitting that mark, per the Cowboys’ public relations’ X account.</p><p>“With a sack tonight, Micah Parsons reached 50.0 career sacks, becoming the sixth NFL player since 1982 with at least 50.0 sacks in his first four seasons, joining Reggie White (70.0), Derrick Thomas (58.0), J.J. Watt (57.0), DeMarcus Ware (53.5) and Dwight Freeney (51.0),” the PR account posted.</p><p>Those are four Hall of Famers Parsons has now joined. He still has two more games left after the Sunday Night Football contest. That could mean he’ll surpass Freeney or even Ware.</p><h2>Cowboys have watched consistency from Micah Parsons</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Micah-Parsons-walks-off-the-field.jpg"><figcaption>Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Parsons may be suiting up for a mediocre Cowboys team. Dallas entered the SNF contest battling for its playoff life at 6-8. But learned there’s no more hope for the postseason.</p><p>Parsons still has established himself as a yearly consistent performer. His sack numbers are the proof.</p><p>He burst onto the NFL scene by snatching 13 sacks as a 2021 rookie. Parsons since then has scaled the double-digit mark for sacks in every year in the league.</p><p>The former Penn State standout delivered his best campaign in 2023 — notching 14 sacks. He’s still on pace to hit 10 or more for the season despite getting limited to 10 starts this season due to injuries.</p><p>Parsons was inactive between Oct. 6 to Nov. 3. He returned to his pass rushing self when he returned Nov. 10 — delivering two sacks of Jalen Hurts against the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas still lost 34-6 to its NFC East rival.</p><p>Parsons, though, tussled down dynamic Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels twice in the 34-26 road upset. He added one more two-sack afternoon: Dec. 15 against the Carolina Panthers, as he brought down Bryce Young twice.</p><p>He’s now joined elite company with just one sack of Baker Mayfield. And now looks in position to produce his fourth straight season of 10+ sacks.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons joins elite company with milestone sack

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/dallas-cowboys-bold-predictions-for-week-16-sunday-night-football-vs-buccaneers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dallas Cowboys bold predictions for Week 16 Sunday Night Football vs. Buccaneers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0Dallas-Cowboys-bold-predictions-for-Week-16-Sunday-Night-Football-vs.-Buccaneers0.jpg"></figure><h1>Dallas Cowboys bold predictions for Week 16 Sunday Night Football vs. Buccaneers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T12:24:59-08:00">December 22nd, 12:24pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T12:26:17-08:00">December 22nd, 12:26pm</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Dallas Cowboys got <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-micah-parsons-week-16-status-air-due-illness">disconcerting news about their star linebacker</a> but received <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-key-linebacker-optimistic-injury-timetable-undergoing-surgery">a positive report about another one</a>. With a Dallas Cowboys Week 16 game scheduled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playoff implications remain for both teams. Ahead of the Cowboys-Buccaneers game, we’ll be making our Cowboys Week 16 predictions.</p><p>It’s not a great spot for the Cowboys, who have less than a 1% chance of making it to the postseason. At the very least, the Cowboys have to win each of their last three games. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers currently stand in the No. 3 spot with an 82% chance to get there.</p><p>Dallas enters with a record of 6-8, having won three of their last four games. The Buccaneers are 8-6 and carry a four-game winning streak.</p><h2><b>Kevontae Turpin will catch a 50-plus-yard TD</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dallas-Cowboys-WR-KeVontae-Turpin.jpg"><figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It doesn’t take as much to hit Turpin with a long touchdown. He has the speed to change a short pass into a big gain because of his elite NFL speed. And to think he didn’t get drafted in 2019. Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush said the NFL eventually <a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-undrafted-free-agents-playing-with-a-chip-on-their-shoulder" rel="noopener">sees the gems</a> on its radar, according to dallascowboys.com.</p><p>“It just shows in the NFL, they will find you,” Rush said. “If you can play, you will play. A lot of the league is built on late-round, undrafted guys. You come in undrafted, but people forget in the NFL you are allowed to get better. I think a lot of guys get better, they spend time at their craft and start producing and guys are playing together.”</p><p>Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said players outside of the draft can still perform.</p><p>“I think there’s something to the guys that are undrafted. Some of the guys I’ve been around, there’s a major, major chip on their shoulder that fuels them which I think is awesome,” Schottenheimer said. “They feel like they were overlooked and it bothers them, and so it fuels them, it feeds them, it makes them do the extra little things before and after practice, in this game, in this league, you’re going to have to play with guys like that.”</p><p>Turpin has enjoyed the best of his three seasons with the Cowboys. He has 26 catches for 344 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He said he has been <a href="https://athlonsports.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/dallas-cowboys-kavontae-turpin-turning-heads-as-x-factor-in-playoff-push-mike-mccarthy" rel="noopener">given more chances</a> this year, according to athlonsports.com.</p><p>“I’m taking advantage of all the opportunities,” Turpin said. “I’m grateful that I’m getting them, every time I’m going try to go out there and make a big play every time they give me the ball. I’m grateful for them.”</p><h2><b>Rico Dowdle will rush for 90-plus yards and a score</b></h2><p>After finally becoming the featured back for the Cowboys, Dowdle has excelled. He has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games, and he may add to that total against the Buccaneers. One area he hasn’t shown up well is getting into the end zone, as he has just one rushing score all season.</p><p>McCarthy said he <a href="https://athlonsports.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/dallas-cowboys-mike-mccarthy-excited-rico-dowdle-success-run-game-kick-ass-udfa-cooper-rush" rel="noopener">appreciates the way</a> Dowdle has played, according to athlonsports.com.</p><p>“I’m just proud of those guys,” McCarthy said. “I think they’re all examples of it’s not where you start, you just keep working and when your opportunity comes, I think they’ve clearly taken advantage of it, I think that’s awesome.</p><p>“There was a number of things that started slow for us. When you look at the run game and the protection, it was definitely something, especially in the first month, was not something that we did best. But that’s why you play the whole year. I’m just glad he’s established himself as the one (starter). (I’d) like to see him potentially start playing more on third down, but it (has) been exciting to watch Rico have the success.”</p><h2><b>Cooper Rush will pass for 250-plus yards</b></h2><p>Only once in his tenure as a 2024 start has Rush eclipsed the 250-yard mark. But to keep up with the Buccaneers’ explosive offense, he may need to get there.</p><p>Rush is among the players who are <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/week-15-nfl-takeaways-sirianni-eagles-bumpy-week-bills-rebound" rel="noopener">trying to help</a> McCarthy remain as the Cowboys head coach, according to Sports Illustrated.</p><p>“It’s just who we are,” Rush said. “A bunch of guys that love to compete, (and) a lot of winners on this team. A lot of wins over the last few years with coach McCarthy and these core players. There’s a culture there—you’re going to go out there and play your butt off and compete no matter what.</p><p>“It’s just more who he is. It’s just been the attitude the last couple of years. He does a great job having a pulse of the team, keeping guys together, keeping us together in the locker room and creating that culture that no matter who we’re playing, what we’re doing. If you’re out there, you’re competing your butt off. He has us well prepared.”</p><h2><b>Cowboys’ defense will pick off Baker Mayfield twice</b></h2><p>It has happened five times this year for Mayfield, finishing with at least two interceptions. But it’s interesting to note he has at least three touchdown passes in four of those five games.</p><p>Mayfield’s only other game at AT&amp;T Stadium came with the Cleveland Browns in front of a pandemic-restricted crowd in 2020. He said he’s looking <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/21/tampa-bay-bucs-dallas-cowboys-baker-mayfield-nfl-preview/" rel="noopener">forward to coming back</a>, according to orlandosentinel.com.</p><p>“There’s a lot of memories that I have,” said Mayfield, who won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and played high school football in the Austin area. “I played a state championship game in high school there and a Big 12 championship there. It’s close enough to Oklahoma that you always see a lot of Sooner jerseys in there. For me, it’s special.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dallas Cowboys bold predictions for Week 16 Sunday Night Football vs. Buccaneers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/tampa-bay-buccaneers-bold-predictions-for-week-16-snf-vs-cowboys');   ga('set', 'title', 'Tampa Bay Buccaneers bold predictions for Week 16 SNF vs. Cowboys');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-bold-predictions-for-Week-16-Sunday-Night-Football-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Tampa Bay Buccaneers bold predictions for Week 16 SNF vs. Cowboys</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T12:10:22-08:00">December 22nd, 12:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T12:10:22-08:00">December 22nd, 12:10pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the road to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16. This <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-vs-cowboys-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16">Sunday Night Football matchup is huge for the Bucs</a>, who currently lead the NFC South. Dallas is clinging onto slight playoff chances and needs a win to stay alive. Ahead of this important NFC matchup, we’ll make our Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 16 bold predictions.</p><p>There are not any new injuries to note for the Buccaneers. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-chris-godwin-3-word-message-caught-video-after-injury">Chris Godwin is out for the season</a> but Mike Evans has taken over his production since returning from injury. They are coming off a dominant performance against the Chargers last week. Their 40-17 romp over the Bolts put them in the driver’s seat of the NFC South. Now, a big primetime win could put distance between them and the Falcons.</p><p>With all of that considered, it’s time to predict the outcome. Here are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 16 bold predictions.</p><p><i><b>*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/football/?irad=356362&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener">free trial</a>)*</b></i></p><h2><b>Baker Mayfield racks up 275 total yards</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-with-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-2.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-new-career-high-with-td-explosion-vs-chargers">Baker Mayfield has had his struggles this season but was dominant</a> last week. The Chargers were the best-scoring defense in the league before giving up 40 points to the Buccaneers. He had over 300 total yards and four touchdowns in that game and will keep up the momentum against the Cowboys. Mayfield will rack up 275 yards in this game.</p><p>Mike Evans’ return has been huge for Mayfield. Without both Godwin and Evans, the Buccaneers lost four straight games. But Evans showed why he is a future Hall-of-Famer against the Chargers with 159 yards and two scores. Plus, the Cowboys will be without Trevon Diggs which should open up the passing game.</p><p>Mayfield has eight games with over 275 yards and will add a ninth on Sunday night. The Cowboys’ defense has been brutal this season, the Buccaneers have been on fire, and the combination will be lethal.</p><h2><b>Mike Evans and Bucky Irving both score touchdowns</b></h2><p>With Evans back, attention has turned away from the Buccaneers’ dynamic running-back duo. Bucky Irving and Rachaad White have been great all season and helped keep the offense afloat when Evans was out. Now, Mayfield’s top target is back and finding the end zone at a fantastic rate. Irving and Evans will score against the Cowboys.</p><p>The Cowboys have struggled to stop the run all season, giving up 4.8 yards per attempt rushing and 22 touchdowns. Irving should have plenty of space to run, especially with DeMarvion Overshown out for the season. And with no Diggs, it will be a Mike Evans game, as previously mentioned. In five games against the Cowboys, Evans has two touchdowns with an average of 74 yards per game.</p><p>Irving has been one of the best rookie running backs in the league this year. He joins White to make one of the league’s most underrated running back duos. Irving has not scored a touchdown since Week 13 and this week will be the game to do it.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers win by over seven points</b></h2><p>The Buccaneers need a win, especially after the Falcons got new life on Sunday with Michael Penix Jr under center. They are looking to clinch their fifth straight playoff appearance and have an opportunity to maintain their lead with a win. Considering the Cowboys’ brutal home record, Tampa will roll to a seven-point victory.</p><p>The Buccaneers are 3.5-<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nfl" rel="noopener">point favorites and are</a> -210 on the money line, according to FanDuel. The over/under is 47.5.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Tampa Bay Buccaneers bold predictions for Week 16 SNF vs. Cowboys

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cowboys-news-micah-parsons-likely-playing-status-vs-buccaneers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Micah Parsons’ ‘likely’ playing status for Cowboys vs. Buccaneers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Micah-Parsons-likely-playing-status-vs.-Buccaneers.jpg"></figure><h1>Micah Parsons’ ‘likely’ playing status for Cowboys vs. Buccaneers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T06:44:03-08:00">December 22nd, 6:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T06:44:03-08:00">December 22nd, 6:44am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL in 2024. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-bills-win-shootout-seahawks-struggle">Dallas is 6-8 heading into Week 16</a> and is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-after-rams-take-control-of-nfc-west-in-week-15">firmly on the outside of the NFC playoff picture</a>. The season has felt doomed ever since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-dallas-officially-places-dak-prescott-ir-season-ending-injury">Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending injury</a>. Thankfully, the Cowboys got some positive injury news about one of their star defensive players.</p><p>Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1870727220357980619" rel="noopener">likely to play on Sunday</a>, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Parsons has been dealing with a stomach bug and is officially listed as questionable on the injury report with an illness. Despite this, it seems Parsons will be good to go against the Buccaneers.</p><p>This is big news for the Cowboys on defense, though it won’t really change the trajectory of the team during the final weeks of the regular season.</p><p>Parsons’ 2024 campaign got derailed by an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-micah-parsons-suffered-ankle-injury-giants">ankle injury he suffered during Week 4 against the Giants</a>. This caused Parsons to miss multiple weeks and have his worst statistical season of his young career.</p><p>In 2024, Parsons has logged 32 total tackles with eight-and-a-half sacks. Both are career lows for Parsons.</p><p>Hopefully Parsons can have a nice bounce back year in 2025.</p><h2><b>Micah Parsons explains preferring timeline for Cowboys contract extension</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Micah-Parsons_6428c2.jpg"><figcaption>Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Cowboys have faced a ton of scrutiny for their strategy around handing out extensions this year. At one point this offseason, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons all wanted extensions and none received them.</p><p>Prescott and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-ceedee-lamb-dallas-agree-record-136-million-deal-after-lengthy-contract-standoff">Lamb had to wait until the fall to get an extension</a>. Now Parsons is next in line for a big payday.</p><p>Parsons apparently has a target <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43063891/micah-parsons-hopes-new-cowboys-deal-start-free-agency" rel="noopener">date in mind when he wants to sign an extension</a> with the Cowboys.</p><p>“I’m going to try and work with them as much as possible to help them attack free agency… I want to be back with this team. This offseason, I want to be here. I want to get these guys right. I want to take big steps,” Parsons explained via ESPN’s Todd Archer.</p><p>Parsons has already told the Cowboys that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cowboys-news-micah-parsons-makes-insane-admission-ahead-2025-contract-negotiations">he’s willing to take a pay cut to give the team extra cash</a> to bring other players in.</p><p>Parsons will play on his $21.4 million fifth-year option in 2025, which puts the Cowboys on the clock to get him locked up soon.</p><p>His new contract will likely be the first domino to fall for the Cowboys this offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Micah Parsons’ ‘likely’ playing status for Cowboys vs. Buccaneers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-cade-otton-disapointing-week-16-status-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Cade Otton gets disapointing Week 16 status update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Cade-Otton-gets-disapointing-Week-16-status-update.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Cade Otton gets disapointing Week 16 status update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-21T14:52:06-08:00">December 21st, 2:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-21T15:05:01-08:00">December 21st, 3:05pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15 to extend their winning streak to four straight games. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-warning-opponents-40-chargers">Bucs dropped 40 points on LA</a> as they improved to 8-6 on the season. The team hopes to stay hot with a Sunday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys coming up in Week 16. But <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1870575775063376234" rel="noopener">injuries could slow</a> Tampa Bay down.</p><p>The Buccaneers have ruled Cade Otton out for Sunday’s game due to a knee injury, per NFL insider Adam Schefter on X. Tampa Bay’s tight end was unable to practice this week before squeezing in a limited session Friday after getting banged up against the Chargers.</p><p>While Otton was red hot in the middle of the season when the Buccaneers were missing wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, he’s cooled off over the last month – coinciding with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-mike-evans-final-medical-update-week-12">Evans’ return to action</a>. Despite the offensive explosion against LA last week, the third-year pro caught just two passes for 24 yards on three targets.</p><p>Still, Otton has put together a solid season, often operating as a security blanket for quarterback Baker Mayfield in the passing game. He has 59 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games.</p><h2><b>Cade Otton got banged up in the Buccaneers’ Week 15 win over the Chargers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cade-Otton.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Buccaneers survived a far more concerning injury this week. A <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-misses-practice-ahead-cowboys-knee-injury">knee ailment prevented Mayfield from practicing</a> on Wednesday, setting off alarm bells for the team. But the veteran signal caller was able to return to a full session on Thursday and has been removed from the injury report. He’ll be under center in Dallas on Sunday.</p><p>Mayfield has enjoyed an excellent second season with the Buccaneers. In Week 15, he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-new-career-high-with-td-explosion-vs-chargers">set a new career-high mark for touchdowns</a>. The seventh-year pro has tossed 32 touchdowns this season. Mayfield has 328 completions for 3,617 with 32 scores and 14 interceptions through 14 games.</p><p>With Baker at the helm, the team’s offense is humming. The Bucs have scored 30 or more points seven times this season. The unit is third overall in yards per game and fourth-best with 28.8 points per contest in 2024.</p><p>Despite the a stellar offense, Tampa Bay is not a lock to reach the playoffs. The four-game winning streak has given the Buccaneers a one-game advantage over the Falcons in the NFC South. But if they don’t win the division, they could miss out on the postseason altogether. Because they’re on top of the NFC South the Buc’s are currently the third seed in the conference but their 8-6 record would leave them a game out of the final Wild Card spot without the benefit of the division lead.</p><p>Should Tampa Bay reach the playoffs, they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-news-why-rams-ravens-buccaneers-are-viewed-as-dangerous-playoff-threats">could be a dangerous team</a>. Sunday night’s matchup in Dallas should help clarify things as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-after-rams-take-control-of-nfc-west-in-week-15">playoff picture comes into focus</a>. The Cowboys are technically still in the postseason hunt but they would need to win out and receive a tremendous amount of help to have a shot.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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KaVontae
Turpin