Final2024 Week 16

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys, Week 16 2024

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Away

24

Dallas Cowboys

HomeWon

26

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Buccaneers0143724
Cowboys10133026

TB 24DAL 26 Final

  • Passing leader

    Baker Mayfield

    TB · QB

    23.3PPR pts

    31/43, 303 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Bucky Irving

    TB · RB

    18.2PPR pts

    16 ATT, 68 YDS, 1 TD, 3 REC, 24 REC YDS

  • Buccaneers leader

    Jalen McMillan

    TB · WR

    16.7PPR pts

    5 REC, 57 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Jourdan Lewis

    DAL

    1 INT, 6 TKL

Cowboys 26, Buccaneers 24: Dallas holds off Tampa Bay

Dallas led 23–14 at halftime and won 26–24, though Tampa Bay took the second half 10–3. Tampa Bay outgained the Cowboys 410–317.

The Buccaneers went 6-for-12 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Cowboys finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 5 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +2 turnover margin DAL 0 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Buccaneer or Cowboy on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Cowboys Won

Dallas won the turnover battle.

Team stats comparison, Buccaneers vs Cowboys
BuccaneersStatCowboys
2Turnovers0
Other team stats
410Total yards317
5.9Yards per play5.7
70Plays56
50%Third-down conversion33%
32:48Time of possession27:12

Scoring Summary

The Cowboys scored two touchdowns and four field goals; the Buccaneers scored three touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Buccaneers vs Cowboys
TimeTeamPlayTBDAL
1st quarter
9:06DALBrandon Aubrey 58-yard FG Takes lead03
2:49DALCooper Rush → Jalen Tolbert, 10-yard TD Extends leadBrandon Aubrey XP010
2nd quarter
11:30TBBucky Irving 2-yard TD runChase McLaughlin XP710
9:15DALBrandon Aubrey 49-yard FG Extends lead713
1:45DALEzekiel Elliott 1-yard TD run Extends leadBrandon Aubrey XP720
0:48TBBaker Mayfield → Jalen McMillan, 11-yard TDChase McLaughlin XP1420
0:00DALBrandon Aubrey 58-yard FG Extends lead1423
3rd quarter
6:33DALBrandon Aubrey 53-yard FG Extends lead1426
0:31TBChase McLaughlin 45-yard FG1726
4th quarter
2:36TBBaker Mayfield → Ryan Miller, 13-yard TDChase McLaughlin XP2426

Fantasy Points: Buccaneers vs Cowboys, Week 16 2024

Fantasy leaders

  1. Baker MayfieldTBQB23.3 PTSQB6
  2. Bucky IrvingTBRB18.2 PTSRB16
  3. CeeDee LambDALWR17.5 PTSWR16
  4. Jalen McMillanTBWR16.7 PTSWR19

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Baker MayfieldTBQB23.3QB631/4330321342097.3Start/Sit →
Cooper RushDALQB15.3QB2026/35292103-40108.3

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Bucky IrvingTBRB18.2RB16RB1668133240Start/Sit →
CeeDee LambDALWR17.5WR16WR———871050Start/Sit →
Jalen McMillanTBWR16.7WR19WR———75571Start/Sit →
Mike EvansTBWR11.9WR34WR———85690Start/Sit →
Rachaad WhiteTBRB11.0RB29RB310087500Start/Sit →
Jake FergusonDALTE10.0TE12TE———96400Start/Sit →
Jalen TolbertDALWR10.0WR47WR———32201Start/Sit →
Ryan MillerTBWR9.7WR49WR———22171Start/Sit →
Rico DowdleDALRB8.1RB38RB1323033280Start/Sit →
Payne DurhamTBTE7.9TE20TE———75290Start/Sit →
Brandin CooksDALWR7.8WR58WR———33480Start/Sit →
Ryan FlournoyDALWR7.1WR62WR———33410Start/Sit →
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB6.1RB44RB111————
Trey PalmerTBWR5.1WR71WR———42310
Sterling ShepardTBWR4.4WR79WR114031200
KaVontae TurpinDALWR2.8WR92WR31101170Start/Sit →
Rakim JarrettTBWR1.6WR106WR———1160
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE1.3TE53TE———1130Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Snap Share

  1. Payne DurhamTE67 snaps93%
  2. Jalen McMillanWR60 snaps83%
  3. Mike EvansWR58 snaps81%
  4. Bucky IrvingRB41 snaps57%
  5. Rachaad WhiteRB36 snaps50%

Target Share43 targets

  1. Mike Evans19%, 8 targets
  2. Rachaad White19%, 8 targets
  3. Payne Durham16%, 7 targets
  4. Jalen McMillan16%, 7 targets
  5. Trey Palmer9%, 4 targets
  6. Other21%, 9 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Bucky Irving70%, 16 carries
  2. Baker Mayfield13%, 3 carries
  3. Rachaad White13%, 3 carries
  4. Sterling Shepard4%, 1 carries

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. Brandin CooksWR46 snaps77%
  2. Rico DowdleRB46 snaps77%
  3. Jake FergusonTE35 snaps58%
  4. CeeDee LambWR33 snaps55%
  5. KaVontae TurpinWR25 snaps42%

Target Share31 targets

  1. Jake Ferguson29%, 9 targets
  2. CeeDee Lamb26%, 8 targets
  3. Brandin Cooks10%, 3 targets
  4. Rico Dowdle10%, 3 targets
  5. Jalen Tolbert10%, 3 targets
  6. Other16%, 5 targets

Carry Share20 carries

  1. Rico Dowdle65%, 13 carries
  2. Cooper Rush15%, 3 carries
  3. KaVontae Turpin15%, 3 carries
  4. Ezekiel Elliott5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Payne DurhamTBTE6793%716%0
Jalen McMillanTBWR6083%716%0
Mike EvansTBWR5881%819%0
Brandin CooksDALWR4677%310%0
Rico DowdleDALRB4677%310%13
Jake FergusonDALTE3558%929%0
Bucky IrvingTBRB4157%37%16
CeeDee LambDALWR3355%826%0
Rachaad WhiteTBRB3650%819%3
Ryan MillerTBWR3346%25%0
KaVontae TurpinDALWR2542%13%3
Ryan FlournoyDALWR2440%310%0
Sterling ShepardTBWR2433%37%1
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE2033%13%0
Jalen TolbertDALWR1728%310%0
Jonathan MingoDALWR1525%00%0
Brevyn Spann-FordDALTE1322%00%0
Trey PalmerTBWR1318%49%0
Rakim JarrettTBWR1318%12%0
Ko KieftTBTE1217%00%0
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB35%00%1
Princeton FantDALTE35%00%0
Devin CulpTBTE34%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Baker MayfieldTB · QB23.321.1+2.2100%43 att—43313%00%
Cooper RushDAL · QB15.317.5−2.2100%35 att—35315%00%
Rachaad WhiteTB · RB11.015.7−4.750%19% tgt—0313%819%
Bucky IrvingTB · RB18.215.6+2.657%70% car—01670%37%
Jake FergusonDAL · TE10.015.4−5.458%27% tgt—000%927%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR17.513.7+3.855%24% tgt—000%824%
Mike EvansTB · WR11.913.7−1.881%19% tgt—000%819%
Rico DowdleDAL · RB8.113.6−5.577%65% car—01365%39%
Jalen McMillanTB · WR16.712.0+4.783%16% tgt—000%716%
Payne DurhamTB · TE7.912.0−4.193%16% tgt—000%716%
Trey PalmerTB · WR5.16.9−1.818%9% tgt—000%49%
Sterling ShepardTB · WR4.45.8−1.433%7% tgt—014%37%
Brandin CooksDAL · WR7.85.1+2.777%9% tgt—000%39%
Jalen TolbertDAL · WR10.05.1+4.928%9% tgt—000%39%
Ryan FlournoyDAL · WR7.15.1+2.040%9% tgt—000%39%
KaVontae TurpinDAL · WR2.83.7−0.942%15% car—0315%13%
Hunter LuepkeDAL · RB0.03.4−3.4—6% tgt—000%26%
Ryan MillerTB · WR9.73.4+6.346%5% tgt—000%25%
Luke SchoonmakerDAL · TE1.31.7−0.433%3% tgt—000%13%
Rakim JarrettTB · WR1.61.7−0.118%2% tgt—000%12%
Ezekiel ElliottDAL · RB6.10.7+5.45%5% car—015%00%

Team totals: Buccaneers 43 targets and 23 carries; Cowboys 33 targets and 20 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2024 season: 1.71 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Baker Mayfield

TB · QB · 23.3 pts on 21.1 expected

31 of 43 passing for 303 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 3 carries for 42 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Cooper Rush

DAL · QB · 15.3 pts on 17.5 expected

26 of 35 passing for 292 yards, 1 touchdown; 3 carries for -4 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.5 expected.

Rachaad White

TB · RB · 11.0 pts on 15.7 expected

8 targets (19% of the team's), 7 catches for 50 yards; 3 carries (13% of the team's) for 10 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Rachaad White →

Bucky Irving Strong role

TB · RB · 18.2 pts on 15.6 expected

3 targets (7% of the team's), 3 catches for 24 yards; 16 carries (70% of the team's) for 68 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Bucky Irving →

Jake Ferguson Unlucky

DAL · TE · 10.0 pts on 15.4 expected

9 targets (27% of the team's), 6 catches for 40 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Jake Ferguson →

CeeDee Lamb

DAL · WR · 17.5 pts on 13.7 expected

8 targets (24% of the team's), 7 catches for 105 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.7 expected.

Start/Sit: CeeDee Lamb →

Rico Dowdle Volume, no payoff

DAL · RB · 8.1 pts on 13.6 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 3 catches for 28 yards; 13 carries (65% of the team's) for 23 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Rico Dowdle →

Ryan Miller Ran hot

TB · WR · 9.7 pts on 3.4 expected

2 targets (5% of the team's), 2 catches for 17 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 3.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Ryan Miller →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Stock up: Bucky Irving led the backfield with 57% of the snaps after trailing Rachaad White before this game.
  • Stock up: Jalen McMillan played 83% of the snaps, up from a 68% season average.
  • Stock up: Payne Durham played 93% of the snaps, up from a 30% season average.

Dallas Cowboys

  • Stock up: Rico Dowdle played 77% of the snaps, up from a 55% season average.
  • Stock up: Ryan Flournoy played 40% of the snaps, up from a 19% season average.
  • Stock up: KaVontae Turpin played 42% of the snaps, up from a 22% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2024 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Buccaneers defense and Cowboys defense
Points allowed toBuccaneers DCowboys D
QBs20.221.5
RBs19.723.8
WRs35.735.8
TEs14.39.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Dallas opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Cowboys win probability

Cowboys win probability by game minuteCowboys started at 50%, stood at 83% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +20Rush → Tolbert, 10-yd TD60% → 80%Q1 2:49
  2. −21Irving 2-yd TD run81% → 61%Q2 11:30
  3. +18Elliott 1-yd TD run73% → 91%Q2 1:45
  4. −18Mayfield → McMillan, 11-yd TD91% → 73%Q2 0:48
  5. −24Mayfield → Miller, 13-yd TD>99% → 76%Q4 2:36

Swing in Cowboys win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Buccaneers vs Cowboys
Tampa Bay BuccaneersMeasureDallas Cowboys
70Plays56
67%Pass rate64%
5.9Yds / dropback7.9
5.8Yds / carry1.6
6/12Third downs5/15

Efficiency edge Dallas ran 14 fewer plays but gained 2.0 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • TB Evans 19% · White 19% · McMillan 16%
  • DAL Ferguson 27% · Lamb 24% · Cooks 9%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Buccaneers vs Cowboys
ResultTBDAL
Touchdowns32
Field goals14
Punts45
Turnovers20
Turnovers on downs10

DAL turnover edge: +2

  • The Cowboys opened the scoring on their first possession, a 10-play, 30-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
All 23 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
DALQ1 15:0010305:54Field goal
TBQ1 9:067224:09Downs
DALQ1 4:575522:08Touchdown
TBQ1 2:49391:37Punt
DALQ1 1:12321:27Punt
TBQ2 14:456573:15Touchdown
DALQ2 11:305392:15Field goal
TBQ2 9:158255:01Punt
DALQ2 4:149802:29Touchdown
TBQ2 1:457710:57Touchdown
DALQ2 0:486300:48Field goal
TBQ3 15:00965:53Punt
DALQ3 9:075302:34Field goal
TBQ3 6:3311436:02Field goal
DALQ3 0:315133:53Punt
TBQ4 11:385112:28Punt
DALQ4 9:103131:38Punt
TBQ4 7:325451:10Interception
DALQ4 6:22381:39Punt
TBQ4 4:439872:07Touchdown
DALQ4 2:36380:56Punt
TBQ4 1:40150:09Fumble
DALQ4 1:313-41:31End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Buccaneers vs Cowboys Head-to-Head

The Buccaneers and Cowboys first met in 1977 and have played 23 times since.

All-time series
17–6Cowboys lead, 23 meetings since 1977
Postseason
3–0Cowboys won in 1981, 1982, and 2022
Largest Buccaneers win
27–72000
Largest Cowboys win
38–01981

Since 2021

2–2 Series tied

4 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Buccaneers win, C = Cowboys win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 5 Buccaneers at Cowboys Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2024 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Buccaneers vs Cowboys
BuccaneersStatCowboys
10-7Record7-10
29.5Points per game20.6
399.6Yards per game327.5
6.2Yards per play5.0
22.6Points allowed per game27.5
341.8Yards allowed per game355.2

Buccaneers vs Cowboys Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 5 in Dallas. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2024 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Buccaneers vs Cowboys Game FAQ

Who won the 2024 Buccaneers vs Cowboys Week 16 game?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26–24 in Week 16 of the 2024 season. The game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, on December 22, 2024. See the Cowboys' 2024 schedule.

What was the final score of Buccaneers vs Cowboys?

The final score was Cowboys 26, Buccaneers 24. The Cowboys led 23–14 at halftime, and the second half went Buccaneers 10, Cowboys 3.

What happened in the Buccaneers vs Cowboys game?

Dallas led 23–14 at halftime and won 26–24, though Tampa Bay took the second half 10–3. Tampa Bay outgained the Cowboys 410–317. Baker Mayfield led all players with 31 of 43 passing for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 42 rushing yards. The Buccaneers committed 2 turnovers, the Cowboys none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Buccaneers vs Cowboys?

Baker Mayfield led the game with 23.3 PPR fantasy points, the QB6 of Week 16, on 31 of 43 passing for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 42 rushing yards. Bucky Irving was next with 18.2 (RB16). See Baker Mayfield's 2024 game log.

Who led Buccaneers vs Cowboys in passing, rushing and receiving?

Baker Mayfield (TB) led all passers with 31 of 43 for 303 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Bucky Irving (TB) led in rushing with 16 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb (DAL) led in receiving with 7 catches for 105 yards.

How many fantasy points did Baker Mayfield score against the Cowboys?

Baker Mayfield scored 23.3 fantasy points against the Cowboys in Week 16 of the 2024 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 31 of 43 passing for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 42 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Buccaneers vs Cowboys?

Ryan Miller outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 9.7 PPR points on 3.4 xFP (+6.3). Rico Dowdle fell furthest short, with 8.1 points on 13.6 xFP (−5.5). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Buccaneers vs Cowboys?

Baker Mayfield had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 21.1 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 23.3. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Cowboys beat the Buccaneers?

The Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 26–24 because they won the turnover battle 2–0.

Which team won the turnover battle in Buccaneers vs Cowboys?

The Cowboys won the turnover battle 2–0: the Buccaneers gave the ball away 2 times and the Cowboys not at all. The Cowboys won the game.

What is the all-time Buccaneers vs Cowboys record?

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 17–6 across 23 meetings since 1977, including a 3–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Buccaneers and Cowboys last play before this game?

Before Week 16 of 2024, they last met in the 2022 playoffs on January 16, 2023, when the Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 31–14.

Have the Buccaneers and Cowboys met in the playoffs?

Yes, 3 times, most recently in the 2022 playoffs. The Buccaneers are 0–3 against the Cowboys in the postseason.

What is the Buccaneers vs Cowboys record since 2021?

The series is tied 2–2 across 4 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.