Buccaneers beat Cowboys 24-16 for first win of season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned their first win of the season, 24-16 over Dallas, with rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels.

The victory lifts Tampa Bay to 1-4 and drops the Cowboys to 2-3. Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. He took over for Baker Mayfield, who was ruled out before the game; safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was also unavailable for Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay turned the game after halftime. Dallas led 10-7 at the break, but the Buccaneers scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter, with rushing touchdowns from Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving before a field goal stretched the lead to 24-10. The Bucs finished with 241 rushing yards and controlled the ball for 39:21.

Dallas' only fourth-quarter score came on Dak Prescott's 18-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens; the two-point attempt failed. The comeback ended after a dropped potential pick-six that could have tied the game, then Alex Anzalone intercepted a deflected pass minutes later, and effectively ended Dallas' hopes. Tampa Bay finished without a turnover, while the Cowboys gave it away three times.