TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Tony Romo tossed three touchdowns in the first half Saturday and the Dallas Cowboys moved into first place with a 31-15 victory over Tampa Bay.
Dallas (8-6) built a half-game lead over the New York Giants (7-6) atop the NFC East with the win, which came after collapses against the Arizona Cardinals and the Giants in the Cowboys' previous two games.
Saturday's victory sets up a possible playoff berth-deciding match-up between the Cowboys and Giants in the regular-season finales for both teams in two weeks.
Dallas plays Philadelphia (5-8) in between, while New York plays Washington (4-9) Sunday before taking on the Jets (8-5) in the following contest.
Romo went 23-of-30 through the air for 249 yards and Felix Jones contributed a solid ground game, carrying the ball 22 times for 108 yards.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, lost their eight straight -- the team's longest single-season losing streak since 1987.
Josh Freeman was limited to 148 yards on 17-of-27 passing efficiency in the loss.
