Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Dallas Cowboys 24-16 in Dallas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 on Oct. 9, 2026, handing Dallas its third loss of the season, the Associated Press reported. Bucky Irving and rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels supplied key plays in the victory, with Irving scoring on a 5-yard reception and a 1-yard run. The win was Tampa Bay’s first of the season and moved the Buccaneers to 1-4 while the Cowboys fell to 2-3.
Dallas opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Javonte Williams. Tampa Bay answered in the second quarter when Daniels threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Irving, and Brandon Aubrey kicked a 41-yard field goal for Dallas late in the half. In the third quarter Irving added a 1-yard rushing touchdown and Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin connected on a 41-yard field goal. The Cowboys closed with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to George Pickens in the fourth on a 99-yard drive, and the two-point conversion attempt failed.
Irving recorded his first 100-yard game since his rookie season in 2024. The Associated Press wrote that Irving finished the game with “a run that gave him a career high.” Daniels provided the passing touchdown that helped sustain Tampa Bay’s offense during the second quarter. Dallas did mount a late scoring drive but could not overcome the Buccaneers’ earlier scoring advantage.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Tampa Bay showed more balance on offense than it had earlier in the season, relying on Irving’s rushing and receiving production and a scoring pass from Daniels. Irving’s 100-yard performance gave the Buccaneers the playmaking they needed to finish drives and flip momentum in the second and third quarters. For Dallas, the late long drive demonstrated resilience, but the failed two-point try and earlier defensive lapses left little margin for error. The Buccaneers will take the first victory into their next game as they aim to build consistency.