The Dallas Cowboys won a thriller on Sunday Night Football over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They nearly blew a double-digit second half lead and needed two of the most incredible turnovers in the fourth quarter to hold on, but they deserved a win.

DaRon Bland’ strip fumble of Rachaad White that allowed Dallas to milk the rest of the clock might be the story from the victory. However, the Cowboys do not win if not for everyone’s favorite bulldog, Jourdan Lewis.

RELATED: Jourdan Lewis proves with simple quote why Cowboys must re-sign him

Playing through a shoulder injury, Lewis came down with one of the most incredible interceptions you’ll ever see.

Baker Mayfield took a deep shot for the end zone intended for Jalen McMillan, who looked to come down with it. Even though Lewis didn’t have a grasp of the ball until he was on his descent, he wrestled the ball away from McMillan before he could establish possession.

Fittingly, Lewis was all business after the win and he sent a pointed message to Cowboys fans who are upset the team is hurting its draft stock by racking wins.

Jourdan Lewis sends intense message to Cowboys fans after Week 16 win

Fittingly Lewis was all business after the win and he sent a pointed message to Cowboys fans who are upset the team is hurting its draft stock by racking wins.

“This is football. This is what I love to do. That’s loser talk,” Lewis said, via Patrik Walker of the team’s official website. “I don’t get into that. I wanna win no matter the circumstances. Whenever I put my cleats on, I’m gonna do my job. I wanna go out there and win. As far as tanking, or whatever they call it, I don’t indulge in that. I just love football. …. It don’t matter what contract year it is — I’m going out there to dominate.”

That is who Lewis has been from the moment Dallas drafted him in 2017. He’s one of the longest-tenured players on the team and one of the most underrated Cowboys players in the last 20 years. That is not an exaggeration. It’s just come to a head in 2024 because this is Lewis’ best season to date.

If you were to rank all of the Cowboys’ free agents this offseason by their performance this season, Lewis would be No. 1. That says a lot given how Osa Odighizuwa, Rico Dowdle and Chauncey Golston have played. Lewis is right there with Micah Parsons in terms of playing the best of any player on the roster throughout the season.

The eighth-year pro won’t make the Pro Bowl since it’s a popularity vote, but he should absolutely be an All-Pro nickel corner. He deserves to be a lifetime Cowboy.

Hopefully, Jerry Jones and the rest of the front office recognize his importance and step up to the plate with a respectable offer when the time comes. Lewis is irreplaceable both on the field and for the culture.

As long as he’s around, the Cowboys aren’t going to tank. Players like that need to stick around.