Buccaneers earn their first win against the Cowboys

The Buccaneers finally got their first win on the board by beating the Cowboys on Thursday, in the game that opened the NFL’s fifth week. Tampa Bay claimed its first victory of the season by a score of 16-24, with Bucky Irving’s impact and the opposition’s mistakes proving decisive.

The night also carried particular significance for Jalon Daniels: the quarterback led the offense with 189 passing yards, completing 19 of 25 attempts and throwing a touchdown. It was the second start of his career. Irving, meanwhile, piled up 165 yards on 21 carries and scored a touchdown. His influence was especially clear in the third quarter, when the Buccaneers seized momentum.

Dallas could point to Dak Prescott’s 316 passing yards and a touchdown, but his two interceptions hurt the Cowboys. After one of them, made by Yaya Diaby, Irving turned the possession into a rushing touchdown, following a 64-yard gain by Daniels.

The Buccaneers also recovered a fumble on the kickoff. They then missed a chance to put the game away, failing on a fourth down one yard from the end zone—a decision that gave the Cowboys renewed hope. But with Dallas nearing the opponent’s 25-yard line in the final two minutes, a Prescott pass bounced off his receiver’s helmet and was intercepted. That play ended the game and secured Tampa Bay’s first win of the season.