Buccaneers game: Daniels leads Tampa Bay past Cowboys
Jalon Daniels guided Tampa Bay to a 24-16 win over Dallas on Thursday night, earning the Buccaneers their first victory after an 0-4 start. The undrafted…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels turned a Thursday night game in Dallas into his breakthrough, leading the Buccaneers to a 24-16 win over the Cowboys. The victory gave Tampa Bay its first win after an 0-4 start and exposed persistent problems in the Cowboys’ defense.
Daniels, an undrafted free agent making his second career start, completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 23 yards. Tampa Bay finished with a season-high 419 yards of offense, according to NFL.com’s recap.
The Buccaneers also avoided the franchise’s first 0-5 start since 2013. Their performance carried particular weight because the offense had entered the game ranked 28th in total offense, while Daniels was filling in for injured quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Daniels gives Tampa Bay a spark
Daniels set the tone on the opening drive. Tampa Bay marched 73 yards over 15 plays, with the quarterback completing all eight of his passes for 49 yards and adding 11 rushing yards. The drive ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bucky Irving.
He looked more composed than he had in his first start, a close loss to the Green Bay Packers the previous week, NFL.com reported. Against Dallas, Daniels’ mobility and passing helped revive an offense that had struggled to produce.
A quick start. Then more.
The Buccaneers were held scoreless in the first half after that opening march, but broke through after halftime. They scored touchdowns on consecutive drives, covering 161 yards across seven plays and putting 14 points on the board. A field goal on their next drive extended the lead.
Daniels became only the second undrafted free-agent quarterback to start and defeat the Cowboys, joining Washington’s Ed Rubbert, who did so in 1987, according to NFL.com.
Dallas defense fails to contain the run
The Cowboys struggled to pressure Daniels. NFL.com said the quarterback faced pressure just seven times, while Tampa Bay ran for 241 yards. The Buccaneers also played without a turnover for the first time this year.
Dallas had been at home against a Buccaneers offense that entered the game with a low ranking and a rookie quarterback making his second start. Instead, Tampa Bay’s production highlighted the Cowboys’ defensive vulnerabilities. The final margin of eight points did not reflect how thoroughly the Buccaneers controlled key stretches after halftime, NFL.com’s account said.
The result matters for both teams beyond the standings. Tampa Bay found a productive option while Mayfield recovers, and Daniels’ display gives the offense a new point of reference. For Dallas, the inability to stop the run or disrupt an undrafted quarterback leaves its defensive issues unresolved.
Late decision nearly changed the finish
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles also made a fourth-down decision that gave Dallas a chance to respond. With Tampa Bay ahead 24-10 and 8:36 remaining, he chose to go for a touchdown from the Cowboys’ 1-yard line rather than attempt a field goal. Sean Tucker was stopped.
The missed opportunity helped keep the game within reach. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense had a chance to make the closing minutes more competitive, though Tampa Bay held on for the win.
Bowles went down to a knee on the sideline near the end of the game, in a scene NFL.com described as concerning. The source did not provide further details about the coach’s condition.
Tampa Bay’s offense ended the night with 419 yards, its season high.
Source: nfl.com
