ARLINGTON, TX — The Dallas Cowboys entered Thursday night's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looking to build momentum after returning to .500. Instead, three turnovers and a struggling run defense sent Dallas to a 24-16 loss against a team that had yet to win a game this season.
The Cowboys fell to 2-3 after allowing Tampa Bay to score 17 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Buccaneers improved to 1-4, earning their first victory of the season behind a career-high 165 rushing yards and two touchdowns from running back Bucky Irving.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott completed 24 of 42 passes for 316 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Wide receiver George Pickens caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, while running back Javonte Williams added 45 rushing yards and a score.
Despite those performances, Dallas struggled to sustain drives and committed three second-half turnovers that helped Tampa Bay take control.
The Cowboys opened the game with a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped by Williams' 1-yard run. Tampa Bay answered early in the second quarter when rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels connected with Irving on a 5-yard touchdown pass.
Brandon Aubrey's 41-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining in the first half gave Dallas a 10-7 lead at halftime.
The game changed dramatically after the break.
Irving opened the third quarter with a 72-yard run that moved Tampa Bay to the Dallas 14-yard line. On the next play, Emeka Egbuka scored on a 14-yard jet sweep to give the Buccaneers their first lead, 14-10.
Dallas' next possession ended when Prescott's pass was deflected and intercepted by defensive lineman Yaya Diaby.
Tampa Bay capitalized on the turnover with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Daniels connected with Tez Johnson for a 64-yard gain before Irving scored on a 1-yard run to extend the Buccaneers' lead to 21-10.
The Cowboys' problems continued on the ensuing kickoff when returner KaVontae Turpin lost a fumble forced by Miles Killebrew. Kevin Knowles recovered the ball at the Dallas 37-yard line.
Tampa Bay converted the turnover into a 41-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin, giving the Buccaneers a 24-10 advantage late in the third quarter.
The Buccaneers finished with 241 rushing yards and 419 total yards, while the Cowboys managed 366 total yards. Tampa Bay controlled the ball for more than 39 minutes, compared with fewer than 21 minutes for Dallas.
Irving carried the ball 21 times for 165 yards and a touchdown while also catching a touchdown pass.
Daniels, an undrafted rookie from Kansas making his second NFL start in place of injured starter Baker Mayfield, completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys also suffered an injury setback when star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb exited in the second half with a quadriceps injury. Lamb finished with two receptions for 9 yards.
Dallas showed signs of a comeback in the fourth quarter after its defense stopped Tampa Bay on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line with 8:32 remaining.
Prescott then directed a 10-play, 99-yard touchdown drive, connecting with Pickens on an 18-yard scoring pass with 5:26 left.
The Cowboys attempted a two-point conversion but failed, leaving Tampa Bay ahead 24-16.
Dallas received another opportunity late in the fourth quarter and moved into Buccaneers territory with a chance to tie the game.
However, Prescott's pass intended for tight end Jake Ferguson deflected off Ferguson's hands and was intercepted by linebacker Alex Anzalone at the Tampa Bay 12-yard line with 1:16 remaining.
The Buccaneers ran out the remaining time to secure the victory.
Dallas entered the game against a Tampa Bay team missing Mayfield and several defensive starters, but the Buccaneers controlled the line of scrimmage and capitalized on the Cowboys' mistakes.
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