Thursday Night Football: Bucs upset Cowboys 24-16

Published October 8, 2026 11:26 PM The Cowboys suffered one of their most humiliating defeats with Dak Prescott as their quarterback. They lost 24-16 at home to a previously winless team starting an undrafted rookie quarterback.Dallas is 2-3 and Tampa Bay 1-4.The Buccaneers, who trailed 10-7 at halftime, dominated the third quarter by outscoring the Cowboys 17-0 and outgaining them 197 to 59.The Cowboys got a break when Todd Bowles decided to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the Dallas 1 with 8:36 remaining. Sean Tucker was stopped for no gain by Jaishawn Barham, giving the Cowboys hope.Dallas went 99 yards in 10 plays, and George Pickens’ 18-yard touchdown reception pulled the Cowboys within 24-16 after a missed 2-point conversion. The Cowboys drove to the Tampa Bay 24 with a chance to tie it, but a Prescott pass bounced off the hands of Jake Ferguson and Alex Anzalone intercepted the carom with 1:16 left.The Bucs gained 419 yards with 241 coming on the ground. Bucky Irving rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and caught two passes for 10 yards and a touchdown.Jalon Daniels, making a second start in place of Baker Mayfield, was 19-of-25 for 189 yards and a touchdown.The Cowboys gained 366 yards with Prescott going 24-of-42 for 316 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Pickens caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.The Cowboys lost wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (quad) and left tackle Tyler Guyton (back) in the fourth quarter, but they will have a mini-bye week to get rested and healed before facing the Packers on Oct. 18.