Buccaneers Beat Cowboys 24-16, and Dallas Defense Has a Pattern

Buccaneers Beat Cowboys 24-16 for Their First Win of the Season

Tampa Bay trailed by three at halftime and then scored 17 points in the third quarter to win 24-16 in Arlington on Thursday night, per ESPN. The Buccaneers entered 0-4 and were the NFC's only winless team. They started undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels for the second straight week while Baker Mayfield recovers from a dislocated right thumb, and played without safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

Bucky Irving ran 21 times for 165 yards, including a 72-yard run, and the Bucs ran for 241 yards as a team. Daniels went 19 of 25 for 189 yards and a touchdown. Alex Anzalone intercepted Dak Prescott with 1:22 left to seal it. Prescott threw for 316 yards but had two interceptions, and Dallas turned the ball over three times.

Tampa Bay was also flagged 14 times, and coach Todd Bowles went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1 instead of kicking a field goal for a 17-point lead, ESPN noted. Dallas is now 2-3 and Tampa Bay is 1-4.

Our Read: What Dallas' Loss Says About the Defense

This is our reading of the facts above, not a reported cause. One bad night is noise, and five games of the same shape is a pattern.

• The problem is not one unit. The offense gained 152 yards over seven drives after its opening touchdown, yet Prescott still passed for 316 yards. Dallas lost the game in the second half, when the defense gave up a 72-yard run, a 64-yard pass and a first down on third-and-21.
• Every quarterback has had a good night. ESPN lists passer ratings of 134.2, 109.1, 99.1, 136.7 and 126.7 against Dallas, then Daniels at 110.2. When the opponent changes and the result does not, we would lean toward the defense and away from bad luck.
• Third down was the false comfort. Baltimore and Houston converted 3 of 9 and 3 of 10 in the previous two games, and Tampa Bay hit 7 of 13. Two good weeks there did not mean a fix.
• The evidence points both ways on Tampa Bay. Irving's 72-yard run and the 14 penalties tell different stories, and the fourth-and-goal decision nearly gave the game back. We would not read one road win as a turnaround.

What to Watch for Cowboys and Buccaneers

• Whether Dallas gets better pressure against a quarterback who is not in a blitz-heavy game script, with Green Bay's Jordan Love next on Oct. 18.
• Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts, the following opponent in ESPN's schedule note.
• Whether Mayfield returns from his thumb injury before the Pittsburgh game on Oct. 18.
• Tampa Bay's penalty count, which cost it field position even in a win.

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