Baker Mayfield completed 31-of-43 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the Buccaneers’ 26-24, Week 16 loss to the Cowboys, adding 42 yards on three carries.
Mayfield and the Buccaneers played from behind throughout as they fought to maintain their one-game lead over the Falcons in the NFC South, ultimately coming up just short in a wild fourth quarter. Down nine points with seven minutes remaining, Mayfield drove the team to midfield before Jourdan Lewis wrestled the ball away from Jalen McMillan in the end zone for an interception. The Bucs would force a three-and-out, getting the ball back with under five minutes to play. Mayfield drove the team down the field in two minutes to bring the game within two points following a touchdown pass to Ryan Miller. Another three-and-out gave the ball back to the Buccaneers with 1:40 remaining to play. On the first play of the possession, Mayfield avoided a sack and completed a shuttle pass to running back Rachaad White, who saw the football pried from his grasped on the way to the ground to effectively end the game with a narrow two-point loss. The loss now shifts the division lead back to the Falcons with two games to play after the Buccaneers dropped both games to Atlanta this season. Up next for Mayfield and the Bucs are the Panthers at home in Week 17.