The previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers marched into North Texas and pulled off one of the young NFL season’s biggest upsets, knocking off the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 in a game that honestly wasn’t even as close as that final score suggests. This wild win helped the Bucs avoid an 0-5 start that, statistically speaking, would have been lights out for their year. Meanwhile, a Cowboys squad that looked battered, both literally and figuratively, has to stew with a disappointing 2-3 record for the next ten days before heading to Lambeau Field for a “Sunday Night Football” showdown with the Green Bay Packers. Oof.
Jalon Daniels Delivers for the Bucs, Keeping Hope Alive
Talk about a breakout! Rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels made history on Sunday. After already becoming the first undrafted rookie QB since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to start a game by Week 4 or earlier, he outdid himself in Week 5. Daniels became the first undrafted rookie in the common draft era (since 1967) to complete his first eight passes in a single game. That incredible run came on a tone-setting, 15-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that opened the game. He finished with 189 yards and a touchdown, securing his first NFL win. Huge.
Yes, the Buccaneers’ playoff chances are still on life support, no doubt. But here’s the kicker: no team in NFL history has ever overcome an 0-5 start to make the postseason. However, one club, the 1992 San Diego Chargers, *has* surmounted a 1-4 record to advance beyond the regular season. So, yeah, we’re saying there’s a chance, especially in the historically middling NFC South. This win also gave head coach Todd Bowles’ hot seat a little more ventilation, even though he’s still got a ton of work to do after last season’s 2-7 finish following a 6-2 start. Plus, longtime GM Jason Licht can breathe a little easier for now, probably avoiding a flood of calls about players like Chris Godwin and Vita Vea ahead of next month’s trade deadline.
Dallas Defense is a Nightmare, Prescott Can’t Compensate
On the flip side, what the heck is going on in Dallas? The Cowboys’ alleged rookie wunderkind defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, who’s only 34, is just not living up to the preseason hype. This unit undermined the franchise last year, and frankly, as Jerry Jones himself put it after last season, Dallas still hasn’t “played a lick of defense.” Thursday night was no different. They couldn’t contain an inexperienced quarterback or a previously sputtering offense, giving up a season-high 419 yards at AT&T Stadium. That’s just rough.
To make matters worse, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott struggled big time with the Bucs’ pass rush. He just couldn’t compensate for the absolute mess on defense. The only real bright spot for Dallas? Perennial Pro Bowl O-lineman Tyler Smith made his 2026 regular season debut after a training camp thumb injury and surgery kept him out for the first month. Welcome back, Tyler, but man, what a way to return.
The Cowboys have a long ten days to stew in this disappointing 2-3 record before they hit Lambeau Field for “Sunday Night Football” against the Green Bay Packers. And who knows, maybe old friend Micah Parsons will be waiting. It’s time for some serious soul-searching in North Texas.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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