Cowboys vs. Buccaneers updates: Score, highlights from Week 16 Sunday Night Football game

That’s a remixed question some will be asking when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to face the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17.

Tampa Bay is trucking along in the sluggish NFC South, following up a four-game losing streak with a four-game winning streak. The latest win was something of a statement: The Bucs put up a 40-spot against the tremendous Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 15, with 506 yards of total offense. It was a well-balanced attack, too: Baker Mayfield threw for 288 yards while four rushers combined for 223 yards on the ground.

That type of success against a top-flight defense should have the Mayfield and Co. salivating as they enter AT&T Stadium on Sunday night. While the Cowboys are winners of three of their last four, their defense remains subpar, and is now without cornerback Trevon Diggs.

Dallas’ playoff hopes might be on life support, but they can keep the playoff window open and throw a monkey wrench into the Buccaneers’ plans with a win Sunday night.

Cowboys 10, Buccaneers 7: Bucky Irving puts Tampa Bay on the board

Rookie running back Bucky Irving broke a tackle on 2nd-and-goal from the 2-yard line and powered forward for the Buccaneers’ first score of the night. Chase McLaughlin’s extra point is good to cut the deficit to three with 11:30 to go in the half.

Irving had four carries for 28 yards on the drive and Baker Mayfield found Mike Evans twice for 29 yards.

Cooper Rush threw just his second incomplete pass of the night on 3rd-and-8 as tight end Jake Ferguson couldn’t hang on to move the chains. Dallas kicked its first punt of the night and Tampa Bay will take over on its own 43-yard line with 14:45 to go in the half.

The first quarter comes to a close in AT&T Stadium and the Cowboys are in control early up 10-0. Dallas will face 3rd-and-8 from their own 22-yard line to open the second quarter. Quarterback Cooper Rush is 9-of-10 for 70 yards and a touchdown after the first 15 minutes of action.