The Dallas Cowboys just did what almost no one thought they would do. They were an 8.5-point favorite going against a winless team, a team playing without its starting QB, instead playing an undrafted rookie at QB in his second-ever start. They lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-16.
Going into a mini-bye, the Cowboys needed this game for momentum, stacking wins, and putting a turbulent early season behind them. Instead, they just raised more questions, and lost a lot of goodwill among the fanbase.
The rest of the NFC East can celebrate as the Cowboys lose a game they should have won if they want to be contenders. They do not look like contenders. Brian Schottenheimer’s hot second half from last week didn’t carry over as the coach will come under more fire. Dak Prescott also struggled for large portions of the game
Dallas tried to make it interesting at the end by staging a comeback, but it fell short. A deserving end for a team that certainly didn’t play winning football.
Dallas is now 2-3 and stuck in a rut of not playing up to form when needed. The Texans game was a nice reprieve, but more often Dallas has just not been good enough this year.
What do you think will happen in Dallas now?
A recap of the action by quarter, starting from the end. Go to the bottom for the start of the game.
Fourth quarter
Bucs ball
On 3rd-and-13, the Bucs got a pass interference penalty as Revel grabbed a receiver. Another 3rd and double-digits converted by the Bucs. Then QB Daniels used his legs to get another first down as the Cowboys defense disintegrated. From there, the Bucs just ran the ball and ground down the clock, while Daniels used his legs for more missed tackles. Finally they tried for the the kill shot on fourth down at the goal line, but were stopped. Dallas took over.
Cowboys ball
The Cowboys got off their goal line with a pass to Flournoy. Then Turpin and Pickens moved the ball toward midfield on completions. Pickens then provided another big play. Dallas got a first down just inside the red zone, then Pickens hit the touchdown. Dallas attempted a two-pointer but failed. 24-16.
Bucs ball
The Bucs start at the 35-yard line. On first down, Jaishawn Barham got hurt. The Cowboys forced a 3rd-and-9, which the Bucs almost gifted the Cowboys a pick-six, but Bland dropped it. Still the Bucs punted.
Cowboys ball
The Cowboys get moving with a big Flournoy reception and run, but then get hit with a holding penalty on Tyler Booker. A Jonathan Mingo catch set them up close, but once again, disaster. Prescott hit Ferguson who just missed it, popping it up for an interception.
Bucs ball
The Bucs get a first down on the ground, and the game is over. Dallas loses 24-16.
Third quarter
Bucs ball
The Bucs started the second half with the ball. On their first play, a run play the Cowboys had bottled up at the line, Bucky Irving found a crease and ran all the way to the Cowboys 14-yard line. 72 yards. Then a sweep took it the rest of the way on the following play and the Bucs lead 14-10.
Cowboys ball
The Cowboys took over and a big play to Pickens converted a third down and picked up 26 yards. But then disaster struck as a Prescott pass was tipped and bobbled by Flournoy, bounced off two people and was intercepted. The Cowboys drive comes up empty.
Bucs ball
Tampa started at their own 25-yard line and immediately picked up a holding penalty. Then more disaster for Dallas, a busted coverage as Bland fell down and the pass was complete setting up the Bucs at the 15-yard line in the redzone. From there, the Bucs just bulldozed it into the endzone. 21-10 lead and the Cowboys are in big trouble.
Cowboys ball
Nope, not Cowboys ball. Turpin fumbled the kickoff and the Bucs took over.
Bucs ball
The Cowboys got a sack on first down to push the Bucs back to midfield. On third down, 3rd-and-21, the Cowboys defense gave it up. Easily. Without much fuss. The defensive secondary is broken. Also Shavon Revel got hurt in this series.
The Bucs couldn’t totally capitalize after Ezeiruaku made a good play on a screen, and settled for a field goal to extend their lead to 24-10.
Cowboys ball
The Cowboys can’t move the ball effectively as pressure from the Bucs defense is throwing Dak off his game. The Cowboys roll the dice and go for it on fourth down, and miss. Schottenheimer is getting outclassed and Prescott is not shredding pressure like he usually does.
Bucs ball
Tampa took over at the Cowboys 42-yard line, almost in field goal range. A holding call backed them up leading to a 3rd and 13.
Second quarter
Bucs ball
The Bucs had a second down at the Cowboys ten-yard line after Jaishawn Barham made a tackle at the line of scrimmage to end the first quarter. But a Rashan Gary offsides moved the Bucs to the five-yard line. Bucky Irving covered the rest of the distance on a short pass to tie the game at 7-7. Cowboys penalties really hurt on that drive.
Cowboys ball
KaVontae Turpin got a short pass for a first down, but after that the Cowboys faced a 3rd-and-long, and a big blitz forced a a throw into coverage that was broken up. Bryan Anger nailed a punt inside the Bucs five-yard line.
Bucs ball
The Cowboys defense held strong by getting pressure on Daniels, and rallying to a tackle on a wide receiver screen on third down. They got the ball back, after being assessed a holding penalty on the punt, at their own 41-yard line.
Cowboys ball
Williams got them going with a nine-yard pass reception, then picked up the first on a short run. Two incompletions to CeeDee Lamb brought up third down. Pressure forced Dak Prescott to scramble and throw a poor pass and the Cowboys punt.
Bucs Ball
An Otitio Ogbonnia facemask gave the Bucs 15 yards to their own 27-yard line. The Bucs then converted a short third down to move to their 41-yard line. Bucky Irving then broke off a 12-yard run, but the drive stalled and they ended up punting after a couple of penalties.
Cowboys ball
Starting at their own 12-yard line, Dallas got 10 yards on a penalty, but then did nothing again. Another punt.
Bucs ball
After the punt the Bucs started in good field position at their own 48-yard line. Quinnen Williams forced a holding call after breaking through the line. On third down, Markquese Bell made a great pass break up to force a punt.
Cowboys ball
Dallas start the drive at their own 13-yard line. Ryan Flournoy made an explosive play with a 48-yard catch. Pickens added a catch, then an offsides gave Dallas a new set of downs. After a Jake Ferguson drop on first down, pressure forced a fourth down and Brandon Aubrey nailed a short kick.
Bucs ball
The Bucs were unable to really move the ball to end the half. Cowboys lead 10-7 at halftime.
First quarter
The Cowboys entered the game already down a man. CB Joey Porter Jr. was ruled out with an illness and was sent home from the facility.
Cowboys ball
The Cowboys started with the ball and got a decent return. George Pickens converted a third down, then Javonte Williams hit a big run behind Tyler Smith. Another big play to Pickens put them in the redzone. They capped it after Jake Ferguson created a pass interference call in the end zone with a Williams touchdown run. A very efficient drive helped along with a few penalties. Tyler Smith being back is already making a difference.
Bucs ball
Bucs QB Jalon Daniels used his legs to convert a third down, then hit Cade Otton for another first down. Otton, on a short pass, converted another third down, putting the Bucs past midfield. A Shemar James coverage sack on third down was undone by a DaRon Bland holding call.
Malachi Lawrence forced a holding call after he used an inside move and was closing on the QB. The Cowboys pass rush is causing havoc, but another holding call, this time on Shavon Revel, provided another first down. Dallas was doing well against the run, but couldn’t get off the field. Chris Godwin got involved on a couple of passes moving them into the redzone. On a 3rd-and-4, Emeka Egbuka made a good catch on Bland for a first down.
