Studs and duds from the Bucs' week 5 win over the Cowboys

The Buccaneers shock the Dallas Cowboys at home, pulling out a 24-16 win on Thursday Night Football. The Bucs' first win this season was also their first complete football game of the year. The offense put up 419 yards, its most this season, and committed no turnovers for the first time this season.

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What is the story about?

The Buccaneers shock the Dallas Cowboys at home, pulling out a 24-16 win on Thursday Night Football. The Bucs' first win this season was also their first complete football game of the year. The offense put up 419 yards, its most this season, and committed no turnovers for the first time this season. The defense recorded two interceptions and held the Cowboys offense to its lowest point total this season. Tampa Bay was not perfect as it struggled with penalties, but there were enough strong individual performances to overcome some sloppy play.

Here are the studs and duds from the Bucs' Week 5 win over the Cowboys:

STUD: Jalon Daniels

The Bucs made the right choice in keeping the undrafted rookie as Baker Mayfield's backup. In his second game, Daniels looked more comfortable

and more confident running Tampa Bay's offense. All of his numbers improved. He completed 76% of his passes for 189 yards and a touchdown while taking just one sack. He added 23 yards on the ground, picking up multiple first downs. His steady play kept the Bucs on track but also unleashed offensive explosiveness that Tampa Bay has not displayed all season.

STUD: Bucky Irving

The Bucs were waiting for this Bucky Irving to emerge. Tampa Bay's lead rusher went off on the Cowboys, running for a season-high 165 yards, adding three receptions for 10 yards and a touchdown. Irving has not had a 100-yard rush game since 2024 and has not looked like the dangerous runner he was in his rookie year. For the first time in a long time, Irving looked dangerous and capable of leading the Bucs' offense.

Bucky Irving with a HUGE first down@TBvsDAL on Prime Video
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/8sL8HzasiW
— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2026

DUD: Ben Bredeson

Tampa Bay's weak link on the offensive line was the poster boy for the Bucs' biggest issue against Dallas: penalties. The Bucs' left guard led the team with three penalties, two holding calls and a false start. Altogether, the Bucs committed 14 penalties, which put victory in considerable danger. Fortunately, the Bucs were good enough in other aspects of the game to hold on to the win.

STUD: David Walker

It is pretty clear that second-year linebacker David Walker is Tampa Bay's best pass rusher right now. He recorded four pressures on his 11 pass rush snaps per PFF, easily outpacing the rest of the defensive line as their most efficient pass rusher. He also forced an offensive holding call on Dallas' final drive, which helped lead to the game-sealing interception.

STUD: Alex Anzalone

Anzalone's first month in Tampa Bay has been pretty rough, but he had his biggest play in red and pewter against the Cowboys. With Dallas driving toward a game-tying score, quarterback Dak Prescott rifled a pass to tight end Jake Ferguson, who was unable to reel it in. The ball popped up and fell into the waiting arms of Tampa Bay's big free-agent pickup this past offseason, all but ending the game.