Buccaneers explode in third quarter in win over Cowboys — SkimNews
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- Buccaneers trailed by 3 at halftime then exploded for 17 points in the third quarter to seize an 11-point lead, cruising to a 24-16 road win that moved them off the NFC's lone winless mark at 1-4
- Alex Anzalone intercepted Dak Prescott with 1:22 left to preserve the win — a redemption arc for the inside linebacker, who had faced heavy criticism for his slow fit into Todd Bowles' defense
- Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie making his second straight start in place of injured Baker Mayfield (dislocated right thumb, Week 3), completed 19 of 25 for 189 yards and a touchdown, including a 64-yard deep ball to Tez Johnson
- Bucky Irving rumbled for 165 yards on 21 carries with a rushing TD and a receiving TD, highlighted by a career-long 72-yard run that included 64 yards before contact — Tampa Bay piled up 241 rushing yards as a team
- Todd Bowles went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 8:36 left instead of kicking a field goal that would've made it a 17-point game; Sean Tucker was stuffed, briefly keeping Dallas alive before Anzalone's interception closed it
- Dak Prescott finished 24-of-32 for 316 yards and a touchdown, with George Pickens hauling in 9 catches for 130 yards and a score — but two interceptions and a collapse after a 70-yard opening TD drive doomed the Cowboys
- Cowboys' defense allowed a 110.2 passer rating to Daniels, the fifth straight game Dallas has permitted an opposing QB to post at least 99.1; Dallas has now given up 20+ points in 12 consecutive games, matching a franchise record
Why it matters: The Buccaneers dodge an 0-5 start with a win powered by Irving's career-long run and a defensive stand missing All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. Dallas (2-3), already embarrassed by losing to a winless team starting an undrafted rookie, now faces Jordan Love and then Jalen Hurts while their defense continues to hemorrhage through the air.
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