The Dallas Cowboys had already been eliminated from playoff contention by the time they took the field on Sunday night, but quarterback Cooper Rush still managed to lead the team to a gritty win -- and make a bit of NFL history while doing it.
The Cowboys snapped the four-game winning streak for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, beating them 26-24. Rush completed 26 of 25 passes for 292 yards with one touchdown.
The Cowboys quarterback, who took over as the starter after a season-ending injury for Dak Prescott, now has a 3-3 record this year and an 8-4 record as a starter for his career. Rush also started one game in 2021 and five in 2022 in relief of Prescott.
As OptaStats noted, Rush has now led the Cowboys to wins over several strong opponents dating back to 2022.
In just 13 NFL starts, Cooper Rush of the @dallascowboys has already beaten:
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) December 23, 2024
Joe Burrow (9/18/2022)
Jayden Daniels (11/24/2024)
Bryce Young (12/15/2024)
Baker Mayfield (tonight)
No other QB has beaten 4 Heisman-winning opposing starting QBs within his first 13 career starts. pic.twitter.com/rmAFSVL5SE
"In just 13 NFL starts, Cooper Rush of the @dallascowboys has already beaten: Joe Burrow (9/18/2022) Jayden Daniels (11/24/2024) Bryce Young (12/15/2024) Baker Mayfield (tonight)," the site noted in a post on X. "No other QB has beaten 4 Heisman-winning opposing starting QBs within his first 13 career starts."
While Rush won't be able to lead the Cowboys to the playoffs this season as they were eliminated on Sunday, The Athletic's Saad Yousuf suggested he is making the case to return as the backup to Dak Prescott in 2025.
"Still, there’s a case to be made that Rush fits the bill as an ideal backup in Dallas," Yousuf wrote. "He’s been here since 2017 when he signed as an undrafted free agent. He has a good relationship with Prescott and the respect of his teammates at large in the locker room. The front office likes him, too — he gives them a cheap and safe option."
