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Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat Dallas Cowboys in NFL season opener

Both teams couldn’t get the running game going and combined for just 112 yards in the whole game.

• September 10, 2021

The defending Super Bowl champion Bucs earned their first victory of the season on a 36-yard field goal in the final seconds of an entertaining, back and forth, opening game. 

Tom Brady, 44-year-old quarterback who is entering his 22nd year in the league, did not look like he was slowing down as he threw for 379 yards, four TDs and two INTs, as well as leading his team down the field for a 49th game-winning drive – third all-time behind Payton Manning (54) and the recently retired Drew Brees (53).

The game started quickly for the Bucs as Brady connected with Chris Goodwin for a 7-yard TD completion on just the second drive of the game.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys came right back with a TD of their own as he connected with second-year wideout Ceedee Lamb for a 22-yard TD to tie the game.

In a game with a lot of back and forth action, Cowboys number one receiver Amari Cooper caught 13 passes for 139 yards and two TDs while the Bucs’ Antonio Brown showed he might very well be Brady’s favourite target this year with five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Goodwin ended the game with nine receptions for 109 yards and a TD, while veteran Tight End Rob Gronkowski caught eight passes for 90 yards and two TDs. Ceedee Lamb had seven receptions.

Both teams couldn’t get the running game going and combined for just 112 yards in the whole game, with leading rushers Leonard Fournette getting 32 yards on nine carries and star running back Ezekiel Elliott had 33 yards on 11 carries.

Dallas will look to bounce back against the Chargers in LA next Sunday, while the Bucs would be looking to continue gaining momentum on their quest to win back to back Super Bowls when they face the Falcons in just over a week.

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