The Cowboys season is toast. Barring a 7-0 finish and a LOT of help from the other three teams in the NFC East, the Cowboys will not be in the playoffs in 2015. A 10-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in perhaps the ugliest of the seven consecutive losses Dallas has suffered, ensured that.
Some extra points worth noting from this one (even though the Cowboys couldn't muster any extra points Sunday):
Sean Lee didn't play due to his concussion
Lee was inactive for today's game, forcing the Cowboys to move Keith Smith up from the practice squad to the active roster. Rolando McClain had good moments and bad moments; Anthony Hitchens had a nice game; the Cowboys defense, in general, was strong. But it wasn't quite enough, as the offense mustered only six points.
Morris Claiborne left with a hamstring injury
The Cowboys cornerback has been having perhaps his best season in a Cowboys uniform, starting to produce at a higher level than he has during his pro career. But Sunday saw Claiborne leave the game in the first half with a hamstring injury. "It's kinda high," Claiborne said of the location of his hamstring injury. "From my point of view, it's not good, because I wasn't able to finish the game. We'll see tomorrow." In his stead, Tyler Patmon played more, and Byron Jones played more at corner. Patmon had a chance to make a possibly game-changing interception in the second quarter, but let it slip through his hands. Prior to his injury, Claiborne had been beaten by Tampa Bay's Mike Evans on a few big connections.
Finally, turnovers
The Dallas defense finally created some turnovers, with Jeff Heath picking off two Jameis Winston passes. The Cowboys only had three interceptions all season, coming into Sunday. Despite Heath's two picks, the Cowboys are still -9 in turnover differential this season.
Mike Evans beat Dallas' secondary
Really the only offensive skill player in this game to actually have a good game, Evans was a huge component of the Tampa Bay offense, even though he had a few key drops. Evans caught eight passes for 126 yards. In addition to beating Claiborne in the first half, he continued to create separation and make plays in the second half, helping Tampa move the ball.
Dan Bailey finally missed a field goal
Dan Bailey made his first 18 field goals of 2015, and had made 21 consecutive kicks dating back to last season. But after making his first two today, Bailey missed from 48 yards away.
Greg Hardy and DeMarcus Lawrence had to be separated
According to Cowboys sideline reporter Kristi Scales, Greg Hardy and DeMarcus Lawrence were in a heated exchange on the sidelines, nose-to-nose, and had to be separated.
