The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally have a win. Playing without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 on Thursday Night Football in Arlington, Texas, behind a career night from running back Bucky Irving and a steady second start from undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. For Dallas fans, the bigger worry may be CeeDee Lamb, who left the game with a quad injury.
Key takeaways
- Final: Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16 (Thursday, Oct. 8, AT&T Stadium).
- Records: Tampa Bay 1-4 (first win of 2026); Dallas 2-3.
- Star of the night: Bucky Irving, 165 rushing yards on 21 carries plus a rushing and a receiving touchdown.
- Baker Mayfield sat out again with the dislocated right thumb he suffered in Week 3.
- CeeDee Lamb left in the second half with a quad injury; no timetable has been announced.
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How the Bucs flipped the game in the third quarter
Dallas looked in control early. The Cowboys scored a 70-yard touchdown drive on their opening possession and led 10-7 at halftime. Then the game turned. Tampa Bay scored 17 straight points in the third quarter, led by a 72-yard Irving run, the longest of his career, that set up the go-ahead touchdown.
Daniels also hit Tez Johnson for a 64-yard gain on a corner route, and Irving opened the scoring on Tampa Bay’s first drive by catching a 5-yard touchdown pass in the flat. As a team, the Buccaneers ran for 241 yards against a Dallas defense that had no answer on the ground.
Dallas cut the lead in the fourth quarter, and Tampa Bay gave the Cowboys a chance when it went for it on fourth-and-1 with 8:36 left instead of kicking a field goal; Sean Tucker was stopped. Linebacker Alex Anzalone ended the comeback hopes with an interception with 1:22 to play.
Box score highlights
| Player | Team | Stat line |
|---|---|---|
| Bucky Irving | TB | 21 carries, 165 yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD |
| Jalon Daniels | TB | 19 of 25, 189 yards, 1 TD, 110.2 rating |
| Dak Prescott | DAL | 24 of 32, 316 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| George Pickens | DAL | 9 catches, 130 yards, 1 TD |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 2 catches, 9 yards before leaving with a quad injury |
Is Baker Mayfield hurt? His status explained
Yes. Mayfield dislocated his right thumb in Week 3 and has not returned to the starting lineup. That is why Daniels, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas, made his second straight start on Thursday. The Buccaneers have not given a firm return date for Mayfield. With the team now 1-4, how quickly he can grip the ball again is the biggest question in Tampa this week.
Daniels did what Tampa Bay needed: he completed 76% of his passes, did not turn the ball over and let the running game carry the offense. Even so, Tampa Bay committed 14 penalties and needed three Dallas turnovers to win.
CeeDee Lamb injury: what we know
Lamb, Dallas’s top receiver, left in the second half with a quad injury after catching two passes for nine yards. He was listed as questionable to return and was not on the field for the Cowboys’ final two-minute drive. Dallas did not give a diagnosis after the game, so his status for next week is unclear. Watch the Cowboys’ injury report early next week.
Without Lamb, George Pickens carried the passing game with 130 yards and a touchdown. But Prescott’s two interceptions, and a defense that allowed 241 rushing yards, turned a home game into one of the worst losses of the Cowboys’ season.
What’s next for both teams
- Buccaneers: host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 18.
- Cowboys: visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Both teams get extra rest after playing on Thursday, which matters for Mayfield’s thumb and Lamb’s quad. For more NFL coverage, see our story on the Commanders’ trip to London and Tony Romo’s exit from CBS Sports.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Buccaneers vs. Cowboys?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 24-16 on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Why didn’t Baker Mayfield play?
Mayfield is recovering from a dislocated right thumb he suffered in Week 3. Rookie Jalon Daniels started in his place.
Is CeeDee Lamb injured?
Lamb left the game in the second half with a quad injury. The Cowboys have not announced how long he could be out.
Who do the Bucs and Cowboys play next?
Tampa Bay hosts Pittsburgh and Dallas visits Green Bay, both on Oct. 18.
