TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will carry a 0-4 record into AT&T Stadium on Thursday night, their worst start in 13 years, with an undrafted rookie quarterback under center and a national audience watching on Prime Video.
Jalon Daniels, who made his first NFL start in a 17-14 home loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week Four, will remain under center against the Dallas Cowboys when the two teams kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET. Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the decision after Baker Mayfield’s dislocated right thumb is expected to sideline him for at least three more games.
Daniels showed enough in his debut to hold the job. The undrafted rookie threw for 148 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay while adding 55 yards on the ground, keeping Tampa Bay competitive before an ultimately unsuccessful fourth-quarter comeback attempt fell short.
The defense gave Daniels a fighting chance. Tampa Bay held a third straight opponent below 300 total yards, limiting the Packers to 283 yards, 15 first downs and just two conversions on 10 third-down attempts. The Buccaneers also recorded multiple takeaways in a game for the first time this season, with Zyon McCollum recovering a fumble and Jacob Parrish intercepting a pass.
Dallas enters the matchup at 2-2 after a 34-30 win over in-state rival Houston in Week Four, a game in which the lead changed hands three times in the fourth quarter. Dak Prescott threw for 355 yards and connected with CeeDee Lamb on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 40 seconds remaining to seal the victory, while running back Javonte Williams scored three touchdowns in the second half.
Thursday night’s game at AT&T Stadium kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.