Bucs explode in third quarter against Cowboys to get first win

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went into halftime trailing by three points against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, and then they exploded in the third quarter for 17 points to take an 11-point lead en route to a 24-16 win on the road.

Inside linebacker Alex Anzalone picked off Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott‘s pass with 1:22 to go to preserve the Bucs’ first win of the season. The fact that it was Anzalone, who has struggled to assimilate into coach Todd Bowles’ defense and has faced a ton of criticism for it, put a bow on things after coming into Week 5 as the only winless team in the NFC.

The Bucs hadn’t won a Thursday night road game since beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 14, 2021, when Tom Brady was Tampa’s QB. On Thursday, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels made his second straight start at quarterback as Baker Mayfield recovers from a dislocated right thumb that he suffered in Week 3.

The Bucs also ran for 241 yards, led by Bucky Irving‘s 165 on 21 carries. Irving also ran for a touchdown and caught another.

If there were complaints for the Bucs, it would be Bowles’ decision to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with Sean Tucker‘s run being stuffed with 8:36 left in the fourth quarter instead of kicking a field goal to go up by 17. That gave Dallas life before Anzalone’s interception closed the door. The Bucs also had a staggering 14 penalties, but they capitalized on three Cowboys turnovers.

Here are the most important things to know from Thursday night for both teams:

QB breakdown: Remember that double mug blitz that doomed Daniels and the offensive line on the final drive last week against the Green Bay Packers? The Cowboys showed it on third-and-4 of the Bucs’ first possession, and Daniels fired a 6-yard completion to Emeka Egbuka before finding Irving in the flat for a 5-yard touchdown. Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 passing yards and a touchdown. Daniels’ arm also came alive with the deep ball — something we’ve seldom seen this season from him or Mayfield — connecting with wide receiver Tez Johnson on a corner route for a 64-yard reception.

Biggest surprise: Heading into this game, Bucs opponents were completing 63.8% of their passes against Bowles’ blitzing schemes. But on Thursday night, Prescott started out by completing 2 of 13 passes against the blitz (15.4%) through three quarters. He finished 9-of-20 (45%), but it was too little, too late. In the absence of All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith had arguably his best game, recording five quarterback pressures on seven blitzes. He also bobbled a potential interception that Yaya Diaby ultimately corralled. Cornerback Jacob Parrish had three pass breakups and allowed just one reception, while Zyon McCollum gave up just two.

Stat to know: Irving delivered a 72-yard rush — the longest of his career and longest by a Buccaneer since Ronald Jones II had a 98-yard run in Week 10 of the 2020 season. What was particularly impressive about the run was the offensive line finally gained some synergy in Zac Robinson’s offense, gaining 64 rushing yards before contact on the play. — Jenna Laine

Next game: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Oct. 18)

There are good losses, bad losses and cataclysmic losses.

Thursday’s loss to the Buccaneers is one of the worst in recent memory in part because the Buccaneers entered the game 0-4, starting an undrafted rookie quarterback and missing one of their best defenders (Winfield).

An offense that wants to be called the “Greatest Offense There Is” was inept after the first drive. After a 70-yard touchdown drive to open the game that included five first downs, the Cowboys’ next seven drives gained 152 yards (48 on one play) and seven first downs as a 10-7 lead turned into a 24-10 deficit in the third quarter.

And the defense once again was shredded, although this time it was Daniels through the air and Irving on the ground. For the 12th straight time, dating back to last year, the Cowboys allowed 20 or more points in a game, matching a team record. They gave up a 72-yard run and a 64-yard pass, while allowing a first down on third-and-21. All in the second half.

As good as the Cowboys could have felt after Sunday’s come-from-behind win at the Houston Texans, this loss was embarrassing for a team that fancied itself a contender.

Prescott finished the night 24-of-32 for 316 passing yards and a touchdown — and George Pickens had nine catches for 130 yards and a touchdown — but the two interceptions hurt.

Trend to watch: Daniels had a passer rating of 110.2, as the Cowboys’ defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to post a passer rating of at least 99.1 in the first five weeks. Jaxson Dart (134.2), Marcus Mariota (109.1), Jayden Daniels (99.1), Lamar Jackson (136.7) and C.J. Stroud (126.7) have had their way with the defense. Coming up next is Green Bay’s Jordan Love, followed by Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts. It won’t get easier.

Most surprising performance: For all of the defensive struggles in the first month of the season, the Cowboys’ third-down defense had improved greatly during the previous two games. The Baltimore Ravens converted 3 of 9 tries in Week 3, and the Texans went 3-of-10 last week. By the end of the Buccaneers’ first drive Thursday, they had four third-down conversions. And they did it with an undrafted rookie quarterback making just his second start. Tampa finished 7 of 13. Just when it seems as though the Cowboys have stopped one hole on defense, another pops up.

Stat to know: Through five games, Javonte Williams has six rushing touchdowns, capping the Cowboys’ only first-quarter drive with a 1-yard run. Williams is the second Cowboy with at least six rushing scores in the first five games. Emmitt Smith did it twice (seven in 1994, nine in 1995), and Calvin Hill had six in 1971. Williams had a career-high 11 rushing touchdowns in his first season with the Cowboys last year. — Todd Archer

Next game: at Green Bay Packers (Oct. 18)