Final Score Predictions for Every Cowboys Primetime Game on the 2024 Schedule

Week 16, Sunday, Dec. 22: Cowboys vs. Buccaneers (Sunday Night Football)

The last time Baker Mayfield played against the Dallas Cowboys, he was a member of the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield's team pulled out the win in a wild 49-38 shootout but the young QB wasn't the reason his team pulled it out.

Mayfield had 165 yards on 19-of-30 passing and while he had two touchdowns, Dak Prescott outdueled him with ease. No. 4 put up 502 yards and four touchdowns as he helped the Cowboys fight back from a 41-14 deficit entering the fourth quarter. Dallas pulled to within three points but Odell Beckham, Jr. ran a 50-yard touchdown to put it on ice.

Now, Mayfield will return to AT&T Stadium with his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was able to turn his career around with the Bucs after spending 2022 with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. He signed a multi-year extension this offseason (after knocking the Eagles out of the playoffs) and welcomed a daughter. Now, he looks to prove he's a more mature leader and can take his team back to the postseason.

In Week 16, he hits a speed bump as Mike Zimmer's defense gives him fits and forces a couple of turnovers. The score remains closer than Dallas fans would like but in the end, they get the win which is what matters.

Score Prediction: Cowboys 27, Bucs 20

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