After going winless over the first month of the season, the Buccaneers pull off a major upset on Thursday Night Football, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 at home. For the first time this season, the Bucs offense looked dangerous, leaning hard on its run game and getting decisive plays out of undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. The defense largely stifled Dallas QB Dak Prescott, holding him to one touchdown and forcing two interceptions.
It was a much-needed win by a Tampa Bay team spiraling into irrelevance. They proved they still have what it takes to win games in the NFL and that there is still time to make some noise this season.
Here are the five takeaways from the Bucs' Week 5 win over the Cowboys:
There is still life in this team...
The Bucs are not done yet. After
starting the season 0-4, Tampa Bay had been written off by everyone. While their playoff odds remain long, the Bucs stifled one of the NFL's most potent offenses and put up over 400 yards of offense on the road, led by an undrafted rookie quarterback. By cutting down on turnovers, the Bucs were able to stay on schedule and show they can still compete week to week.
... but the Bucs are probably not good enough to get back to contention
While the Bucs won, they needed a lot of help and still had to overcome many mistakes. They committed 14 penalties to Dallas' seven. Jalon Daniels nearly threw a pick-six late in the fourth quarter to cornerback Daron Bland, who dropped the would-be interception. The defense still could not record a sack, though the pass rush was certainly better and was instrumental in disrupting quarterback Dak Prescott's rhythm and timing.
Head coach Todd Bowles probably should have taken the field goal on 4th-and-1 on the Dallas 1-yard line to go up by three possessions, but that may have been a toss-up decision. The defense was good for much of the game, but it hardly slowed the Cowboys on their penultimate drive, which ended in a touchdown in 10 plays over just three minutes.
While the Bucs put up 419 yards, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson still struggled with play sequencing and overall play selections, particularly when backed up in the end zone. Combined, these issues portend a long season of frustration and missed opportunities, as the Bucs have had in every game up to this win.
Bucky Irving is still the Bucs' best offensive weapon
It took a while, but the Bucs' lead rusher reminded everyone how good he really is. In his first 100-yard rush game since 2024, Irving was the engine powering Tampa Bay's offense, personally accounting for over 40% of their total output. He ran the ball 21 times for 165 yards, adding three receptions for 10 yards and a touchdown.
Irving forced seven missed tackles per PFF, looking more explosive than he has in well over a year. His 72-yard run play in the third quarter was Tampa Bay's longest offensive play of the season so far. It was an impressive display and a timely reminder that the Bucs' offense is at its best when it goes through Irving.
Jalon Daniels has a real future in the NFL
After a shaky NFL debut, Jalon Daniels looked much more comfortable and in control against the Cowboys. While it helped that the Dallas defense was imploding in real time, Daniels was ready to exploit their mistakes. He made plays with his feet and had some very impressive throws, including a 64-yard bomb to Tez Johnson and a 27-yard laser to Emeka Egbuka to convert a long third down. He still has some growing to do, as he nearly threw a pick-six to Daron Bland, but aside from that throw, he kept the Bucs steady and in rhythm. A little more seasoning, and there could be talk of Daniels seeking a more permanent starting role somewhere in the NFL.
David Walker deserves more playing time
For some reason, the Bucs are not deploying second-year outside linebacker David Walker as one of their primary defensive weapons despite playing like one of the best defenders on the team through five games this season. Walker had just 19 snaps per PFF, but in his limited playing time, he recorded four pressures on Dak Prescott, second-most on the team and most among defensive linemen. There is no question that he is Tampa Bay's most effective pass rusher, which is badly needed by a team that is not getting much out of Yaya Diaby or Reuben Bain Jr. at the moment.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 5 takeaways from the Buccaneers' Week 5 win over the Cowboys
