Another road loss for the Bucs in the last away game for Tampa Bay in 2018. The Buccaneers held Dallas’ offense in check, holding Elliott to 85 yards on the ground and Prescott to only 161 passing yards. A lost fumble in field goal range, which was returned by the Cowboys’ defense for a touchdown, proved to be the neck-breaker for the Buccaneers in this game.
In addition to that, a potential interception—Prescott threw the ball right between Adarius Taylor’s hands but he dropped it—could have completely changed the outcome of the game. Oh well, it’s a Bucs life!
Jameis Winston played decently, completing 34 of his 48 passing attempts for 336 yards, and a touchdown to Mike Evans in the fourth quarter cut the Cowboys’ lead to one possession. However, he made a fumble in Cowboys’ territory that was taken back for a touchdown. He was involved in another fumble on a handoff to Bobo Wilson, which was recovered by Dallas as well. The lack of an efficient running game did not exactly make things any easier for Winston. Peyton Barber averaged a measly 2.5 yards per carry on 17 rushing attempts.
Once again it was the turnovers that killed the Bucs. The defense played well but failed to create takeaways. Tampa Bay did have a chance to get back into it in the fourth quarter, but a 4th&1 inside Dallas’ 5-yard line was turned into a 4th&6 because of an inexcusable delay of game penalty. The Bucs did not convert on the 4th&6 because Winston had defenders in his face right away and no receiver open. He took off and tried to make it happen with his feet, but he came up short.
Bucs lose 20-27. Next up is the final game of, once again, a very forgettable season. On Sunday, Tampa Bay hosts the Atlanta Falcons.
