With 8:36 left on the clock in Thursday night’s game, the Buccaneers were up 24-10 on the Cowboys, fourth and goal from the one-yard line. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles decided to go for the touchdown, and let’s just say it was a move that almost blew up in his face big time.
Fourth Down, One Yard, No Chip Shot
Bowles explained his thinking after the game, saying, “We talked about it, and with less than a yard, and the way we were running the football, we were trying to put the game away.” He was looking to make it a three-score game, going for the full seven points on that crucial fourth and goal from the one. On the surface, you get it. Go for the kill, right?
Playing with Fire When You Could’ve Closed It Out
But here’s the kicker: a field goal would’ve done the exact same thing! Yeah, you read that right. A chip shot would have made it a 17-point lead. That’s a three-score difference, requiring three separate scores for Dallas to even tie. With just over half a quarter left, trying to get three touchdowns is a monumental task. Even two touchdowns and a field goal is tough. The whole point was to turn a two-score game into an unwinnable three-score situation. Bowles’ call ignored the reality that an easy three points would have sealed the deal, just as much as a touchdown would have.
Dallas Gets a Lifeline
Instead, the Bucs’ failed fourth-down play handed the Cowboys a golden ticket. Dallas took that turnover on downs and launched a monster 10-play, 99-yard drive that could have easily salvaged a win. It made the game way closer than it ever should’ve been. While the Buccaneers ultimately walked away with the W, Bowles’ gamble almost turned a comfortable victory into an absolute nightmare. Talk about flirting with disaster, huh?
This game was a wild one, but it’s a huge lesson for any coach: sometimes the safe play is the smart play. You don’t give a team like the Cowboys an inch when you can shut the door completely. The Bucs got lucky this time, but they can’t rely on luck with decisions like that going forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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