The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured their first win of the 2026 season with a 24-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, ending a four-game losing streak. Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, making only his second start, completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 23 yards. The Bucs' offense surged in the second half, scoring 17 points in the third quarter, with key contributions from running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who had six catches and a rushing touchdown.
Defensively, Tampa Bay held Dallas to 14 points below its average and forced three turnovers, with linebacker Alex Anzalone sealing the game with an interception of Dak Prescott in the final minutes. Despite being penalized 14 times, the Buccaneers demonstrated resilience, responding effectively when the game was on the line. Daniels expressed the significance of the win, stating, "It means everything," as he became the fourth undrafted rookie to win a primetime game since 2000.
The victory keeps the Buccaneers in contention in the NFC South and raises questions about whether this performance marks the beginning of a turnaround for the team. Their next challenge will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18.