ARLINGTON, Texas – A few hours before kickoff Sunday night, the Washington Commanders victory over the Philadelphia Eagles officially eliminated the Cowboys from playoff contention. That didn't mean Dallas would mail it in the rest of the way, as shown in a 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"This is a hard game, the emotional part of it is a challenge, that was a kick in the gut for everybody," Mike McCarthy said of dealing with the news of being knocked out of the playoffs before the game. "The timing wasn't great for us, but I just think it just shows you the resiliency and the resolve of the team."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was very complimentary of McCarthy and his team following the game, putting emphasis on the effort that Dallas displayed even with the current situation in front of them.
"Those guys came out and played as though they were fighting in the championship game to go to the Super Bowl," Jones said. "I can't tell you how proud I am of them and the coaching staff. It really shows me something."
CeeDee Lamb was a glistening examples of resiliency on Sunday night, as he continued to fight through his lingering shoulder injury throughout the course of the game. After taking a hit to it on a 52-yard reception, Lamb was slow to get up and spent the next play on the sideline. After the Cowboys PA announcer ruled him as questionable to return, Lamb returned the very next play, spinning his way out of two tackles on a reception over the middle and setting Ezekiel Elliott for a one-yard touchdown.
"I'm hurting, I'm hurting bad," Lamb said. "I'm not even gonna lie to you. Just trying to keep my arm attached to my body… [But] I love this game. I'm trying to win."
"I'm literally willing to put my body on the line for my guys."
Despite being down Eric Kendricks and Trevon Diggs, amongst others, Mike Zimmer's defense once again showed up ready to play. Jourdan Lewis made the effort play of the day in the fourth quarter, going stride for stride with rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan down the seam and stripping the ball out of his hands in the end zone for an interception on what McCarthy called the biggest play of the year.
His effort mirrors that of the rest of the locker room: Regardless of record, they're taking the field with the intention of winning every game.
"I don't get into that, I want to win no matter the circumstances," Lewis said. "Whenever I put my cleats on, I'm going to do my job. I want to go out there and win. As far as tanking, or whatever they call it, I don't indulge in that. I just love football."
While some may view the Cowboys' elimination as meaning they've got nothing to play for the rest of the season, Micah Parsons has taken a different perspective. They'd obviously love to still be in the playoff hunt, but since they aren't, they might as well try to play spoiler for teams going forward.
"I think that's the best part, we got nothing to lose," Parsons said. "They got everything to lose. Seeding, positioning, potential elimination, so it's good to be on the opposite end there. Well, it's not good, but it is nice."
The Cowboys next opportunity to play the villain will come on the road next Sunday in Philadelphia, where Dallas will look to avenge their 34-6 loss to the Eagles from earlier in the season.
