With a season full of regrets and what could have been, and the playoffs no longer an option this season, the Buccaneers came out throwing — literally.

The Bucs opened up their game against the Dallas Cowboys with three straight passes, the first two to Adam Humphries and the third a 38-yard bomb to Mike Evans. After that, a few more passes and a penalty on the offensive line forced them to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown. Cairo Santos knocked it through and the Bucs opened the scoring up 3-0.

The Cowboys wasted no time getting their offense going, in response. On an 8-play, 75-yard drive that feature a lot of running back Ezekiel Elliott in the run and pass game, quarterback Dak Prescott and company marched right down the field and Prescott scooted into the end zone himself for a 7-3 lead.

On the Bucs next possession, they once again stayed aggressive, keeping their attack through the air in the passing game. After going 41 yards and getting into Cowboys territory, poised for more points, Winston was hit from behind by Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory on a scramble and the ball came out. Dallas linebacker Jaylon Smith picked it up and ran it all the way back for a score, and the Cowboys extended their lead to 14-3.

Now down double digits, the Buccaneers offense went 44 yards in 14 plays to get into Cowboys territory yet again. They were fighting themselves as much as they were the Cowboys defense with multiple penalties on the Buccaneers offensive line. But, in the end, the Bucs got into field goal range and were able to knock another one through, eating into the Cowboys lead 14-6.

Following that Bucs punt the game really slowed down. As the second quarter winded down, there were four consecutive punts, two by Tampa Bay and two by Dallas, to bring the game to a standstill as we approached the two minute warning.

The Cowboys were the first to break that drought of points, as they kicked a 59-yard field goal to extend their lead to 17-6. The Bucs were able to answer, though, as an 8-play, 75-yard drive right before the half ended in six points and they got the score to read 17-13 at halftime.

The Cowboys started their first drive of the second half with a punt, but they were lucky they got even that. Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis knocked the ball out of the hands of Elliott, but the Cowboys were able to jump on it and keep possession.

The Bucs went 30 yards on their next drive to get into field goal range, but Santos could hit the long one of 52 yards. On the ensuing possession, the Cowboys took the ball 56 yards in 12 plays, mainly on the ground, but were able to get into field goal range with another three points, and an extended score of 20-13.

Down just a touchdown, the Bucs took over on a crucial drive, but just two plays into that drive, it ended before it could even begin, as a botched handoff between Winston and wide receiver Bobo Wilson led to a fumble and a recovery by the Cowboys, their second of the game.

As the ball was recovered just outside of the end zone, an easy fade pass from Prescott to wide receiver Michael Gallup led to a 27-13 result on the scoreboard.

On the Bucs next drive, they knew they needed something. It took them 17 plays to go 73 yards right at the goal line, but a delay of game penalty made it a 4th-and-6 from the goal line, one that the Buccaneers could not pick up. They turned it over on downs one yards short with the score still 27-13.

The Dallas Cowboys took over with one goal in mind: kill the clock. They were able to get three first downs and burn three minutes off the clock, but ultimately had to punt it back to the Buccaneers with 4:28 remaining in the game and the scoreboard reading 27-13.

The Bucs were able to move the ball relatively well on their next drive, and in 2:20 of time, Winston was able to get the offense all the way to the goal line, and eventually toss a touchdown to Evans to make it a seven point game at 27-20.

After recovering the onside kick, all Dallas had to do was get one first down to run out the clock, and that is what they did.

And that’s how the Bucs lost their 10th game of the season.