The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rode a 17-point third quarter and a big night from running back Bucky Irving to a 24-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at AT&T Stadium. It was the Buccaneers' first victory of the year.
Irving finished with 165 rushing yards on 21 carries, including a 72-yard gain, and scored on both the ground and through the air. Rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels was efficient, going 19 for 25 for 189 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.
Dallas grabbed a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard Javonte Williams run in the first quarter. Daniels hit Irving for a 5-yard score to tie the game early in the second quarter, and Brandon Aubrey's 41-yard field goal late in the half put the Cowboys up 10-7 at the break.
Tampa Bay took control after halftime. Emeka Egbuka scored on a 14-yard run, Irving punched in a 1-yard touchdown and Chase McLaughlin added a 41-yard field goal, building a 24-10 lead by the end of the third quarter.
The Cowboys' lone second-half score came on an 18-yard pass from Dak Prescott to George Pickens with 5:26 to play. A two-point try failed, leaving Dallas down eight.
