Quick answer
- Winner
- Dallas Cowboys
- Final score
- Dallas Cowboys 26–24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Halftime
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20–29 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Cooper Rush
- Top passer
- Baker Mayfield
- Biggest EPA play
- (2:33) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb to TB 11 for 52 yards (27-Z.McColl…
- Game date
- 2024-12-22
Game summary
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26–24 on 2024-12-22. Cooper Rush posted a game-high +9.12 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 39 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
 Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
(9:10) 17-B.Aubrey 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
(2:53) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass short middle to 1-J.Tolbert for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [50-V.Vea].
17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
(11:34) 7-B.Irving right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
(9:20) 17-B.Aubrey 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: DAL-79-M.Waletzko has returned to the game.
(1:48) 15-E.Elliott left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
(:54) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 15-J.McMillan for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
(:05) 17-B.Aubrey 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: TB-26-K.Merriweather has returned to the game.
(6:38) 17-B.Aubrey 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
(:34) 4-C.McLaughlin 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
(2:40) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 81-R.Miller for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
DALDallas CowboysFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 9:10FG Brandon AubreyPoints+3
- Yard line
- TB 40
- Score
- 0-3
(9:10) 17-B.Aubrey 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 2:53TD Jalen TolbertPoints+6
- Yard line
- TB 10
- Score
- 0-9
(2:53) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass short middle to 1-J.Tolbert for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [50-V.Vea].
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 2:49XP Brandon AubreyPoints+1
- Yard line
- TB 15
- Score
- 0-10
17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 11:34TD Bucky IrvingPoints+6
- Yard line
- DAL 2
- Score
- 6-10
(11:34) 7-B.Irving right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 11:30XP Chase McLaughlinPoints+1
- Yard line
- DAL 15
- Score
- 7-10
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 9:20FG Brandon AubreyPoints+3
- Yard line
- TB 31
- Score
- 7-13
(9:20) 17-B.Aubrey 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: DAL-79-M.Waletzko has returned to the game.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 1:48TD Ezekiel ElliottPoints+6
- Yard line
- TB 1
- Score
- 7-19
(1:48) 15-E.Elliott left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 1:45TD Brandon AubreyPoints+7
- Yard line
- TB 15
- Score
- 7-20
17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 0:54TD Jalen McMillanPoints+6
- Yard line
- DAL 11
- Score
- 13-20
(:54) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 15-J.McMillan for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 0:48TD Chase McLaughlinPoints+7
- Yard line
- DAL 15
- Score
- 14-20
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 0:05FG Brandon AubreyPoints+3
- Yard line
- TB 40
- Score
- 14-23
(:05) 17-B.Aubrey 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: TB-26-K.Merriweather has returned to the game.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 6:38FG Brandon AubreyPoints+3
- Yard line
- TB 35
- Score
- 14-26
(6:38) 17-B.Aubrey 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 0:34FG Chase McLaughlinPoints+3
- Yard line
- DAL 27
- Score
- 17-26
(:34) 4-C.McLaughlin 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:40TD Ryan MillerPoints+6
- Yard line
- DAL 13
- Score
- 23-26
(2:40) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 81-R.Miller for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:36XP Chase McLaughlinPoints+1
- Yard line
- DAL 15
- Score
- 24-26
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
Cooper Rush · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +9.12 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play - 2Jalen Tolbert · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.67 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.89 EPA/play
- 3
CeeDee Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.64 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play - 4
Brandin Cooks · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.47 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play - 5
Mitchell Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play - 6Jalen McMillan · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.58 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 7Bucky Irving · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +2.29 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 8Bucky Irving · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Cooper Rush — DAL · Passing
Cooper Rush posted the highest total EPA (+9.12) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Dallas Cowboys. Across 39 counted snaps, they averaged +0.23 EPA per play.
Cooper Rush's top snap (+3.98 EPA): (2:33) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb to TB 11 for 52 yards (27-Z.McCollum; 29-C.Izien). Penalty on TB-27-Z.McCollum, Defensive Holding, declined.
Quarterback report card
Baker Mayfield led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 52 dropbacks · 59.6% completion · +3.2% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -1.01 total EPA- Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys) · 39 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +5.0% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +9.12 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.026 | +0.054 |
| Offensive success rate | 57.0% | 42.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.020 | +0.234 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.207 | -0.523 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.054 | -0.026 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.5% | 43.0% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.03, Dallas Cowboys +0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +0.03 EPA/play (51st percentile vs. 2024 team-game averages)
- Dallas Cowboys: +0.05 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2024 team-game averages)
- Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +4.35 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, +2.24 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — Jalen Tolbert (Cooper Rush pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Bucky Irving
- Dallas Cowboys — Ezekiel Elliott
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jalen McMillan (Baker Mayfield pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Ryan Miller (Baker Mayfield pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — Brandon Aubrey
- Dallas Cowboys — Brandon Aubrey
- Dallas Cowboys — Brandon Aubrey
- Dallas Cowboys — Brandon Aubrey
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chase McLaughlin
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 40 (Q1 9:10) — (9:10) 17-B.Aubrey 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 10 (Q1 2:53) — (2:53) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass short middle to 1-J.Tolbert for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [50-V.Vea].; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 2:49) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 20–19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q2 11:34) — (11:34) 7-B.Irving right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 11:30) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 31 (Q2 9:20); Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q2 1:48) — (1:48) 15-E.Elliott left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 15 (Q2 1:45) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 11 (Q2 0:54) — (:54) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 15-J.McMillan for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 15 (Q2 0:48) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 40 (Q2 0:05).
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 35 (Q3 6:38) — (6:38) 17-B.Aubrey 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 27 (Q3 0:34) — (:34) 4-C.McLaughlin 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 13 (Q4 2:40) — (2:40) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 81-R.Miller for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 2:36) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 1:40) — (1:40) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 1-R.White to TB 31 for 5 yards (26-D.Bland) [2-J.Lewis]. FUMBLES (26-D.Bland), RECOVERED by DAL-26-D.Bland at TB 31. ** Injury Update: DAL-27-A.Oruwar
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:52) — (1:52) 5-B.Anger punts 52 yards to TB 10, Center-44-T.Sieg. 10-T.Palmer pushed ob at TB 26 for 16 yards (86-L.Schoonmaker).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 5:02) — (5:02) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass incomplete short middle to 17-S.Shepard.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 6:30) — (6:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 15-J.McMillan INTERCEPTED by 2-J.Lewis at DAL -2. Touchback.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:31) — (2:31) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass short right to 88-C.Lamb to DAL 34 for 5 yards (23-T.Smith).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 2:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb to TB 11 for 52 yards (27-Z.McCollum; 29-C.Izien). Penalty on TB-27-Z.McCollum, Defensive Holding, declined.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 6:30) — (6:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 15-J.McMillan INTERCEPTED by 2-J.Lewis at DAL -2. Touchback.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 1:40) — (1:40) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 1-R.White to TB 31 for 5 yards (26-D.Bland) [2-J.Lewis]. FUMBLES (26-D.Bland), RECOVERED by DAL-26-D.Bland at TB 31. ** Injury Update: DAL-27-A.Oruwar
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 6:55) — (6:55) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 10-T.Palmer to DAL 46 for 27 yards (28-M.Hooker).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 9:10 · TB 40 · Score 0-3
(9:10) 17-B.Aubrey 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 2:53 · TB 10 · Score 0-9
(2:53) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass short middle to 1-J.Tolbert for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [50-V.Vea]. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 2:49 · TB 15 · Score 0-10
17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 11:34 · DAL 2 · Score 6-10
(11:34) 7-B.Irving right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 11:30 · DAL 15 · Score 7-10
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 9:20 · TB 31 · Score 7-13
(9:20) 17-B.Aubrey 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: DAL-79-M.Waletzko has returned to the game. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 1:48 · TB 1 · Score 7-19
(1:48) 15-E.Elliott left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+7) — Q2 1:45 · TB 15 · Score 7-20
17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 0:54 · DAL 11 · Score 13-20
(:54) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 15-J.McMillan for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+7) — Q2 0:48 · DAL 15 · Score 14-20
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · TB 40 · Score 14-23
(:05) 17-B.Aubrey 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: TB-26-K.Merriweather has returned to the game. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 6:38 · TB 35 · Score 14-26
(6:38) 17-B.Aubrey 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 0:34 · DAL 27 · Score 17-26
(:34) 4-C.McLaughlin 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:40 · DAL 13 · Score 23-26
(2:40) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 81-R.Miller for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 2:36 · DAL 15 · Score 24-26
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-5-J.Browning.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Dallas Cowboys earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Baker Mayfield (TB) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys on 2024-12-22?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24 in Week 16, 2024.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Dallas Cowboys 10; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Dallas Cowboys 19; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Dallas Cowboys 0; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Dallas Cowboys 26.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Tolbert (C. Rush pass) (Q1 2:53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — B. Irving (Q2 11:34) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (Q2 1:48) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — J. McMillan (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 0:54) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — R. Miller (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 2:40) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q1 9:10, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q2 9:20, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q2 0:05, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q3 6:38, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q3 0:34, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 59.6% completion, +3.2% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -1.01 total passing EPA. Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys), 66.7% completion, +5.0% CPOE, +0.23 EPA per dropback, +9.12 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.12 total EPA on Passing plays. across 39 snaps. Their top snap (+3.98 EPA): (2:33) (Shotgun) 10-C.Rush pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb to TB 11 for 52 yards (27-Z.McCollum; 29-C.Izien). Penalty on TB-27-Z.McCollum, Defensive Holding, declined..
Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Dallas Cowboys won 26-24 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 8-6 Now 8-7 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 6-8 Now 7-8 W
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