It’s a quick turnaround for both the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Thursday night brings plenty of intrigue as they meet at AT&T Stadium.
The 2-2 Cowboys are finally back home after spending the past two weeks on the road, including a memorable trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in Week 3. Dallas followed that international trip with a wild win over the Houston Texans last Sunday, leaving little time to rest, recover and prepare for another game under the lights in Jerry World.
Tampa Bay enters the matchup at 0-4 and is searching for its first win of the season.
The Buccaneers will also turn to a new-look offense for the second straight game. Baker Mayfield remains sidelined after dislocating his thumb in Week 3, leaving undrafted rookie
Jalon Daniels to make his second career start. Daniels showed flashes in his NFL debut against Green Bay, throwing for 148 yards and a touchdown while adding 55 yards and a score on the ground. Now, he gets his first road start - and it comes against a Cowboys defense looking to create some pressure.
Dallas, meanwhile, rides the momentum of CeeDee Lamb's historic performance against Houston. Lamb hauled in a career-high 17 catches for 189 yards and the game-winning touchdown, and he'll look to keep cooking alongside Dak Prescott.
Prescott has another milestone in sight, too. With a win, he'll move past Roger Staubach for sole possession of second place on the Cowboys' all-time regular-season wins list with 86, trailing only Troy Aikman's 94. Will he get that W tonight?
After a frantic stretch for both teams, Thursday night promises another compelling chapter. USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights, and more from the Cowboys and Buccaneers' Week 5 "Thursday Night Football" game below. All times are Eastern:
How to watch Cowboys vs. Buccaneers on "Thursday Night Football"
- Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CT
- TV channel (local only): Dallas: FOX 4 KDFW | Tampa: FOX 13 WTVT
- Live stream (national): Prime Video
The Week 5 "TNF" matchup between the Cowboys and Buccaneers will start at 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time for Thursday night games.
Fans outside local markets can only watch the Cowboys vs. Buccaneers game on Amazon Prime Video. The streamer remains the exclusive home of "Thursday Night Football."
Watch "Thursday Night Football" all season with Prime
Thursday Night Football start time
04:05 PM ET, October 8 2026, Tom Viera- Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
The Cowboys and Buccaneers game will kick off Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season with "Thursday Night Football" at 8:15 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thursday Night Football live updates: Cowboys vs Buccaneers start time, how to watch, stream
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
