"DaRon Bland's Clutch Forced Fumble Secures Cowboys' Win Over Bucs, Extends Late-Season Surge"

 

Cowboys' Late-Season Resurgence Might Save McCarthy’s Job

When the Dallas Cowboys dropped to 3-7 earlier this season, speculation about Mike McCarthy’s future as head coach quickly turned to the past tense. At that point, it seemed almost certain that McCarthy’s tenure would come to an end.

But a lot has changed in the past five weeks. Despite losing quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 9, the Cowboys have found their stride. Cooper Rush, filling in for Prescott, has played admirably, and the team has begun to resemble the playoff contender they were expected to be heading into the season. Remarkably, McCarthy might be playing his way into job security, which is hard to believe given the dire outlook just a month ago.

Sunday night’s 26-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—a team that appeared to be on cruise control toward an NFC South title—was a testament to the Cowboys' turnaround. Dallas dominated much of the game, with the Bucs only threatening late. A critical play came with 1:26 left, when Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland stripped the ball from Buccaneers running back Rachaad White just before he hit the ground. That fumble sealed the win for Dallas. The Cowboys improved to 7-8, which, while not great, is a significant improvement from where they were in late November.

Ironically, the Cowboys were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday before the game even began—yet they’re finally playing like a team capable of making a postseason run.

Cowboys' Strong Performance Raises Questions About McCarthy's Future

If the Cowboys decide to extend Mike McCarthy’s contract, it’s bound to stir up some controversy. The fanbase, known for its reactionary tendencies, has called for McCarthy’s ousting after each playoff disappointment. Retaining him after a strong finish, especially when the team’s playoff hopes appeared all but lost, is sure to face heavy criticism.

However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has publicly supported McCarthy in recent weeks, and the win over the Buccaneers is unlikely to change that stance. McCarthy finds himself in an unusual situation, as his contract is set to expire after the season. The decision isn’t simply whether to fire him—it would require the Cowboys to offer him a new deal, and McCarthy would need to be willing to return. Given how bleak things looked when the Cowboys were 3-7 and seemingly on track for a 10-11 loss season, the idea of a contract extension seemed almost unthinkable.

Jones, however, has resisted the urge to make knee-jerk reactions in the past, and it’s possible he’ll do so again. McCarthy’s record as head coach is impressive—he boasts a 49-33 record with the Cowboys and has a career winning percentage above .600, including a Super Bowl title with the Packers. Despite the criticism, McCarthy’s track record is solid, and the team’s recent surge only strengthens his case.

The Cowboys’ turnaround has largely been driven by a defense that has improved dramatically with Micah Parsons’ return from injury, along with the steady play of backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Rush threw for 226 yards and a touchdown in the first half against the Buccaneers, leading Dallas to a 10-point lead early and a 23-14 advantage at halftime. This resurgence has McCarthy's fingerprints on it, and it may ultimately be enough to secure his future in Dallas. 

Cowboys Hold On to Win Despite Late Buccaneers Surge

Neither offense was as explosive in the second half, but the Cowboys maintained a comfortable lead—at least until the final minutes.

Buccaneers Rally Falls Short

Trailing by nine points, Baker Mayfield led a rapid drive, covering 87 yards in just over two minutes. He connected with Ryan Miller for a 13-yard touchdown, bringing Tampa Bay within two at 26-24, with plenty of time left for a defensive stop and a chance to get the ball back.

The Buccaneers quickly forced a three-and-out. The Cowboys punted, and Tampa Bay took over at their own 26-yard line with 1:40 remaining, needing a field goal to take the lead. But with the game on the line, Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland made a game-changing play, stripping Buccaneers running back Rachaad White of the ball, effectively ending Tampa Bay’s comeback hopes.

Buccaneers' Playoff Hopes Take Hit, While Cowboys Keep Rolling

The Buccaneers’ playoff picture took a hit with Sunday night’s loss. After battling to overtake the Falcons for the NFC South lead, Tampa Bay lost control of the division. Both teams are now tied at 8-7, but the Falcons hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series. Atlanta, boosted by rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s strong performance on Sunday, can clinch the division with wins in their final two games.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been on a strong run, winning four of their last five games. The lone loss came in a competitive matchup against the talented Cincinnati Bengals. With their recent surge, Dallas is looking to carry momentum into the final stretch of the season. That may mean keeping Mike McCarthy as head coach—though it may not be the most popular move, each solid performance by the Cowboys is making that a more likely outcome.