Dallas Cowboys bounce back, shut Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-10 – NFL Recap
After being defeated in Week 2 game, Dallas Cowboys managed to bounce back strong in Week 3 game, dominating the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who got their second straight defeat in the Cowboys’ home opener on Sunday, September 23, at Cowboys Stadium.
The game was dominated by defensive units of both teams as Cowboys, after going down early in the first quarter, managed to stop the opponents while securing the lead.
After a touchdown in the first quarter, the Bucs were not able to score for the rest of the game but the final quarter in which they scored a field goal in the last minute of the game.
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said after the game:
“The game was far from artistic. I thought the defence was outstanding. Throughout the ball game there were pretty bad situations, and they responded. They kept the big play-making guys on their football team under wraps for the most part.”
While the Cowboys offence also struggled to score touchdowns against Buccaneers, who had given pretty tough time to the defending Super Bowl champions New York Giants in Week 2 game, the home side kept on making plays that helped them generate field goal
opportunities.
Cowboys got three field goals during the game to outscore the Bucs.
Tampa Bay’s assertive start to the game was similar to the one they had against Giants, but the team failed to capitalise on the momentum and secure or increase the lead to win the game. Instead, the Bucs surrendered their lead in both games to look a mediocre
side that now stands at 1-2 after three games.
Their defenseman Michael Bennett said:
"Every week we're coming together, but there is one thing holding us back every week. We just have to figure out how to play a complete game. That's going to come sooner than later.”
The victory has also brought the Cowboys at the top position in the National Football Conference (NFC) East. Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, who also have 2-1 record, are at second and third position respectively, while Washington Redskins are at the bottom
with 1-2 record.
Cowboys defence has shown some maturity for the first time in the three games and if it can further build on this performance the team can certainly have strong chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
That being said, it should also be noted that the offence was yet again unable to click. It was below par in Week 2 loss against Seattle Seahawks, while Buccaneers defence also gave tough time to the home side.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said after the game:
“The big thing is we won one, even though there were a lot of things that could cause you to lose one."
Cowboys will now face Chicago Bears in Week 4 game, while Tampa Bay will take on Redskins.
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