ARLINGTON, Texas – Dallas Cowboys safety Donavan Wilson delivered a jarring hit on Mike Evans. The force was destructive enough to create a critical pass breakup in the third quarter of Sunday night’s game and left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wideout hobbled.

As Evans struggled to get off the field, Wilson flexed his biceps for several seconds in front of the home sideline, resulting in a roar from the AT&T Stadium crowd. The captivating moment occurred just a few feet away from coach Mike McCarthy, who barked his approval toward the veteran Wilson.

The Cowboys’ postseason fate was determined well before kickoff Sunday evening, but Wilson’s effort and celebration encapsulated the team’s mentality entering the Week 16 contest.

The McCarthy-led Cowboys displayed grit and passion to muster a 26-24 upset victory over Tampa Bay. With its playoff hopes dead, the spotlight shifts sharply toward McCarthy, who is on the last year of his contract with just two regular-season games remaining.

Another big play from a defensive back sealed the result Sunday when cornerback DaRon Bland ripped the ball away from Tampa’s Rachaad White with 1:29 to play. The takeaway preserved Dallas’ two-point lead and allowed the offense to kneel down a few times to run out the clock.

Sunday marked just the Cowboys’ second win at home this season as they improved to 7-8 overall. The Buccaneers fell to 8-7.

RUSH REPORT

Lead tailback Rico Dowdle entered Sunday on fire, having strung together three consecutive outings with 100-plus rushing yards. However, the Buccaneers quickly hushed Dowdle, who finished with just 13 carries for 23 yards.

With the run game lacking, quarterback Cooper Rush directed an impressive performance. The Cowboys settled for short gains early on, but Rush eventually connected with multiple pass-catchers for explosive shots. Rush completed 26 of 35 throws for 292 yards and one touchdown with a 108.3 passer rating. The 292 passing yards were Rush’s third most in a single game in his career.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb continues to be affected by his sprained AC joint. He missed one play and struggled to retreat to the sideline after landing on his right shoulder at the conclusion of a 52-yard reception. But Lamb fought through his pain once again and paced the Cowboys with his game-high 105 receiving yards across seven receptions.

Veteran Brandin Cooks added three catches for 48 yards, while tight end Jake Ferguson had six receptions for 40 yards.

ROOKIE STEPS UP AGAIN

Another promising chapter unfolded in Marist Liufau’s rookie season. The 23-year-old linebacker starred alongside fellow fill-in starter Nick Vigil – the duo starting for injured teammates Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown.

Liufau took over Kendricks’ green dot helmet, signifying his responsibility as the the main communicator between coordinator Mike Zimmer and his teammates in the defensive huddle. Liufau finished with seven combined tackles, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. Vigil had a team-high 10 tackles.

The Cowboys defense limited quarterback Baker Mayfield to 304 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

PARSONS NOTCHES ANOTHER SACK

Linebacker Micah Parsons strip-sacked Mayfield in the second half, upping his season total to 9.5 sacks.

It also marked Parson’s 50th career sack. He became just the sixth NFL player since 1982 with at least 50 sacks in his first four seasons, joining Reggie White (70), Derrick Thomas (58), J.J. Watt (57), DeMarcus Ware (53.5) and Dwight Freeney (51).

Parsons, who is eligible to sign a contract extension at the conclusion of the season, needs just a ½ sack to reach double-digit sacks for his fourth consecutive season. Parsons notably missed four games earlier in the season with a high ankle sprain. Since his return to the lineup in Week 10, Parsons leads the NFL in sacks and pressures.

INJURY REPORT

Reserve offensive lineman Matt Waletzko suffered a knee injury in the first quarter. He briefly visited the locker room but returned to the game and appeared on special teams.

Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert suffered a finger injury at the end of the first half, when he attempted to haul in a deep ball down the right sideline. Tolbert was ruled questionable to return, but did not log another snap in the second half.

AUBREY MAKES HISTORY

Kicker Brandon Aubrey seems bound for his second consecutive season with Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades. On Sunday, he made all four of his field goals, including a pair of attempts from 58 yards. Aubrey has made an NFL-best 14-of-16 field goal attempts from 50-plus yards.

Aubrey’s 14 makes from 50 yards or more is the most in a single season in NFL history.

Earlier in the week, the NFL announced that Aubrey was the leading vote-getter among NFC kickers in fan Pro Bowl voting.

DAK UPDATE

Franchise quarterback Dak Prescott has been sidelined for more than a month with a hamstring injury that required season-ending surgery. During the NBC broadcast, sideline reporter Melissa Stark said Prescott is about a month away from starting to run again.

The 31-year-old Prescott ditched his crutches last week and mentioned to Stark that he expects to be ready for the start of offseason workouts in April.

DRAFT WATCH

The Cowboys were officially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16. Dallas currently possess the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Tankathon.

UP NEXT

The Cowboys will travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 29 at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. ET.