Jalon Daniels Earns First NFL Win as Buccaneers Beat Sloppy Cowboys 24-16/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ Bucky Irving rushed for a career-high 165 yards and scored twice as Tampa Bay defeated Dallas 24-16 Thursday for its first victory of the season. Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels threw a touchdown pass and directed a turnover-free offense in his second NFL start. Dallas fell to 2-3 after two Dak Prescott interceptions, a kickoff fumble and defensive breakdowns helped the Buccaneers take control.
Quick Look
- Final score: Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16.
- Irving’s performance: Recorded 165 rushing yards on 21 carries, plus a receiving touchdown and a rushing score.
- Rookie quarterback: Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown without a turnover.
- Ground advantage: Tampa Bay rushed for 241 yards.
- Dallas mistakes: Prescott threw two interceptions, and KaVontae Turpin lost a kickoff fumble.
- Records: Tampa Bay improved to 1-4; Dallas dropped to 2-3.
- Next games: The Bucs host Pittsburgh and the Cowboys visit Green Bay on Oct. 18.
Deep Look
Irving and Daniels Deliver Tampa Bay’s First Victory
Bucky Irving’s career-best rushing night and a composed performance from rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 Thursday in Arlington.
Irving gained 165 yards, his first 100-yard rushing game since his rookie season in 2024. He scored on a reception and a short rushing touchdown, while a 72-yard run set up the score that put Tampa Bay ahead for good.
Daniels, an undrafted rookie making his second start in place of injured quarterback Baker Mayfield, completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown.
The Buccaneers committed no turnovers and accumulated 241 rushing yards to secure their first win after four consecutive losses.
Daniels Rebounds From Difficult NFL Debut
Daniels’ performance followed a debut in which he threw three interceptions during a 17-14 loss to Green Bay.
“Six months ago, if you would have told me that my first win would have been on a Thursday night, (Amazon) Prime football game, I don’t know what I would have told you,” Daniels said. “Like I keep saying, through all the highs and lows, the bads, the goods, go through every single emotion because at the end of the day, it makes you better and prepares you for any situation that comes down the line.”
Mayfield is expected to miss at least one more game because of a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand.
Irving’s Long Run Sparks Decisive Second-Half Stretch
Irving finished with 21 carries and averaged 7.9 yards per attempt. His touchdowns came on a 5-yard reception and a 1-yard run.
On the first play of the second half, his 72-yard burst positioned Tampa Bay for receiver Emeka Egbuka’s 14-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep.
That two-play, 86-yard possession lasted exactly one minute and gave the Buccaneers a lead they never surrendered.
Prescott then threw his first interception. On the ensuing Tampa Bay possession, Dallas left Tez Johnson uncovered for a 64-yard reception that helped set up Irving’s short touchdown run and a 21-10 advantage.
Kickoff Fumble Adds to Cowboys’ Problems
KaVontae Turpin fumbled the following kickoff, giving Tampa Bay another opportunity to extend its lead.
The Buccaneers converted third-and-21 from the Dallas 48 when Daniels completed a 21-yard pass to Egbuka.
The possession ended with a field goal, increasing Tampa Bay’s lead to 24-10.
Dallas was also without cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a late scratch before what would have been his second appearance following a trade from Pittsburgh last week.
The Cowboys had acquired him as part of their effort to improve a struggling defense.
Prescott’s Comeback Attempt Falls Short
Prescott led a 99-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, finishing it with a 13-yard pass to George Pickens.
But his second interception, coming off a tipped pass, helped Tampa Bay secure the victory in the final two minutes.
Prescott completed 24 of 42 passes for 316 yards. It was his first two-interception game of the season and his first interception since the opener.
Dallas fell to 2-3 amid another uneven performance, this time featuring offensive mistakes alongside the defensive problems that have persisted under coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“I didn’t plan on being 2-3, disappointed by that for sure,” Schottenheimer said. “But we’re just getting started. There’s a lot of football left and we’re gonna play better. We know that.”
Bowles Sees Opportunity to Recover From Slow Start
Tampa Bay entered the season expecting to contend for the NFC South title but lost its first four games.
Coach Todd Bowles said Thursday’s victory provided a starting point for recovery.
“We lost the first quarter of the season,” Bowles said. “We didn’t lose the second, third or fourth. We’ve still got to play those. So we started the second quarter tonight. It’s a long way to climb out, but at the same time, we’re upbeat and if we played as hard and played as effective, we’ll be OK.”
Buccaneers Score on Contrasting Touchdown Drives
Tampa Bay’s first touchdown came at the end of a lengthy possession.
Irving’s 5-yard scoring reception completed a 15-play, 73-yard drive that consumed the final 10:44 of the first quarter and lasted 10:58 overall.
The second-half touchdown drive offered a sharp contrast: Irving’s long run and Egbuka’s jet sweep covered 86 yards in just two plays.
CeeDee Lamb Quiet Before Leaving With Injury
Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb caught only two passes for 9 yards on five targets before leaving with a quadriceps injury.
That followed a career-high 17 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown against Houston the previous weekend, when Prescott targeted him 21 times.
Injuries and Upcoming Games
Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs was sidelined by cramps during the second half.
Dallas left tackle Tyler Guyton departed with a back problem in the second half. Defensive back Alijah Clark left with a hamstring injury in the first half and did not return.
Tampa Bay hosts Pittsburgh on Oct. 18. Dallas visits Green Bay the same day.
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