Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer holds the mouthpiece of his headsets and watches an injury timeout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer holds the mouthpiece of his headsets and watches an injury timeout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning News

ARLINGTON — The Cowboys lost a game on Thursday they believe they should’ve won. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer told them before the game that great teams stack wins and go on streaks, and yet, the only thing the Cowboys have stacked of late is this feeling of déjà vu.

“It’s frustrating,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said after the team’s 24-16 loss to the previously winless Buccaneers. “I feel like this game was similar to the Cardinals game last year, and then I feel like I can probably pick another one from the year before.”

And another. And another. And another. Because when it comes to the Cowboys, missed chances, and opportunities evaded, have become the recent standard. They’ve won enough to stay in the conversation, but lost enough to stay in a frustrating, middling purgatory.

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“OK,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said as he walked to a gaggle of reporters after the loss, “extraordinarily, extraordinarily disappointed. You really need to get it done when it’s there to take.”

The Buccaneers on Thursday were ripe for it. They came to AT&T Stadium without a win. They had multiple key injuries, including to starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. That left the Buccaneers with rookie undrafted quarterback Jalon Daniels, whom the Cowboys scouted this offseason. 

“We’d like [to make] life difficult on him,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) before the game about their plan for defending Daniels. “He’s a young quarterback that’s got a lot of ability and talent, but he is a rookie.”

Instead, it was Daniels who made life difficult on the Cowboys. The rookie finished 19-of-25 for 189 yards and a touchdown. Schottenheimer said earlier in the week that the Cowboys couldn’t allow quarterbacks to continue with high passer ratings against them. Daniels finished with a rating of 110.2, becoming the latest surprise quarterback to have an exceptional day against the Cowboys defense, just as Russell Wilson, J.J. McCarthy, Jacoby Brissett and more have done over the last two years.

That’s, perhaps, where the biggest déjà vu feeling is sparked. The Cowboys hoped this year’s defense would be different from last year. At the least, it couldn’t get worse from being the worst in the league like it was under Matt Eberflus, right? Through five games, it feels eerily similar. The Cowboys entered the week with the 31st-ranked defense in the NFL, in terms of EPA (Extra Points Added) per play allowed. The performance against Tampa Bay shouldn’t do too much to change that.

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“We are still, in my mind, right where we started, relative to our defense,” Jones said.

Jones preached patience about the development of this defense earlier in the season. He compared the massive overhaul on defense to the first season under former head coach Jimmy Johnson. They had massive change then, too. They finished with a 1-15 record. Still, in a win-now season — and only four draft picks to their name after it — can the Cowboys afford to keep being patient with this defense, or does impatience take foot?

“That’s a question we all, if you’re a Cowboy fan, realize that patience might not be the proper term,” Jones said. “The facts are that when you get opportunities and you really have it set … we missed a chance to improve and we didn’t improve.”

Despite the struggle on both offense and defense, the Cowboys had a chance to tie the game. Even without Tyler Guyton (back) and CeeDee Lamb (quad) for the majority of the final drive, they moved down the field quickly. Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith said there was no doubt in their mind that they would score.

“Never,” Smith said. 

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“We live for moments like these, for these opportunities to be great.”

The drive didn’t end with greatness. Rather, it ended after a Prescott pass went through tight end Jake Ferguson’s hand, hit his helmet, and floated perfectly into the waiting arms of a Tampa Bay defender for the game-sealing interception. 

After the game, Prescott noted something. The demeanor of his postgame news conference focused on the loss, the challenges the offense faced against Todd Bowles’ defense, and even a third-party worker getting Prescott’s attention for yelling “embarrassing” as Prescott walked back to the locker room. But what if things had been different? What if the Cowboys score on their final drive resulted in a touchdown instead? What if the game went like it did last week, when the Cowboys squeaked out a win over the winless Texans in Houston?

“If we did, who knows what this press conference is?” Prescott said. 

The hypothetical for the Cowboys continues to be tantalizing. Prescott talked after the game about how their goals are still in front of them. Schottenheimer agreed, saying they aren’t in the place they hoped to be after five games, but still have a lot of season left. 

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Prescott even found the bright side of a loss that teetered, in his mind, on embarrassing. If another situation arises like Thursday, where they have a chance to take a significant step in their season against a worse team, then he won’t have to dig deep for an example of what not to do. He won’t have to recall the loss to Arizona last year, or other losses in history that fall into that category. 

“You can bring this up and guys will know exactly what I mean. And you can even elaborate it on it, whether it’s the way that we started, whether it’s the way that we don’t ride the highs and lows of the game. And more importantly, that we finish,” Prescott said, “that we come out fast and we finish strong in whatever game that is. And so like [Schottenheimer] said, we’ve got to win the games we’re supposed to win.”

Otherwise, déjà vu will set in, again.

Oscar Hagelsieb plays catch with son Oscar Hagelsieb Jr. while grilling outside of AT&T Stadium before a Dallas Cowboys game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Oscar Hagelsieb plays catch with son Oscar Hagelsieb Jr. while grilling outside of AT&T Stadium before a Dallas Cowboys game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsFred Jonez, of San Antonio, makes a video about tailgating outside of AT&T Stadium before a Dallas Cowboys game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Fred Jonez, of San Antonio, makes a video about tailgating outside of AT&T Stadium before a Dallas Cowboys game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers fans Armando Urena, left, and Daniel Lopez, both from Austin pose for a photo while tailgating before an NFL football game between Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans Armando Urena, left, and Daniel Lopez, both from Austin pose for a photo while tailgating before an NFL football game between Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsJay Cornell of New York City, right, shows chicken cooking on the grill as Jay Brown of New York City looks on before an NFL football game between Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Jay Cornell of New York City, right, shows chicken cooking on the grill as Jay Brown of New York City looks on before an NFL football game between Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsStephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys co-owner and chief operation officer, is seen before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys co-owner and chief operation officer, is seen before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys co-owner Charlotte Jones greets Victoria Rodriguez before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys co-owner Charlotte Jones greets Victoria Rodriguez before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsStephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys co-owner and chief operation officer, waves before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys co-owner and chief operation officer, waves before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsJerry Jones, Jr., Dallas Cowboys co-owner and chief sales and marketing officer, from left, Bryan Glazer Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner/co-chairman, Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and Edward Glazer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner/co-chairman, pose for a photo before an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Jerry Jones, Jr., Dallas Cowboys co-owner and chief sales and marketing officer, from left, Bryan Glazer Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner/co-chairman, Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and Edward Glazer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner/co-chairman, pose for a photo before an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hands the ball off to Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hands the ball off to Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) keeps the ball away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) keeps the ball away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) after a 21-yard run at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) after a 21-yard run at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller (40) and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (50) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller (40) and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (50) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (50) but a defensive penalty is called resulting in no play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (50) but a defensive penalty is called resulting in no play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia (91) assisted by linebacker Jaishawn Barham (55) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia (91) assisted by linebacker Jaishawn Barham (55) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) gets a high-five from his teammate quarterback Dak Prescott, right, after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) gets a high-five from his teammate quarterback Dak Prescott, right, after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) at the Dallas 46 yard line at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) at the Dallas 46 yard line at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes under pressure of Tampa Bay Buccaneers players in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes under pressure of Tampa Bay Buccaneers players in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) catches a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) tries to stop him in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) catches a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) tries to stop him in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) reacts after catching a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) reacts after catching a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys fans look up at the screen above the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys fans look up at the screen above the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) scores an extra point as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) tries to stop the ball in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) scores an extra point as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) tries to stop the ball in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rashan Gary (7) after a 5-yard run at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rashan Gary (7) after a 5-yard run at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham (55) and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Barron (45) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham (55) and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Barron (45) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (3) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (3) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes as Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker (52) protects him from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes as Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker (52) protects him from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) in the first half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (24) at the Dallas 48 yard line at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (24) at the Dallas 48 yard line at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys Cheerleader Parker Kilpatrick high-fives Allie Williams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Parker Kilpatrick high-fives Allie Williams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) receives an 18-yard touchdown pass at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) receives an 18-yard touchdown pass at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) makes a heart shape after catching a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) makes a heart shape after catching a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers place kicker Chase McLaughlin (4) scores an extra point as Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) tries to stop the ball in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers place kicker Chase McLaughlin (4) scores an extra point as Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) tries to stop the ball in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsFans watch the second half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Fans watch the second half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) evades tackle by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Malachi Lawrence (57) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) evades tackle by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Malachi Lawrence (57) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Lt Overton (99) after he received a 5-yard pass at at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Lt Overton (99) after he received a 5-yard pass at at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) receives a kick at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) receives a kick at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) jumps over Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) jumps over Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (5) after catching a pass in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (5) after catching a pass in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) fumble the ball as he is hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Miles Killebrew (29) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) fumble the ball as he is hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Miles Killebrew (29) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) fails to make the catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) fails to make the catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) fails to make the catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) fails to make the catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) reacts after failing to make the catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) reacts after failing to make the catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsA Dallas Cowboys fan yells from the stands at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

A Dallas Cowboys fan yells from the stands at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward (27) stops Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) just shot of the end zone at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward (27) stops Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) just shot of the end zone at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to pass at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to pass at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) celebrates an interception by linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-16.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) celebrates an interception by linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-16.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsTampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) celebrates with his teammate safety Tykee Smith (23) after intercepting a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) celebrates with his teammate safety Tykee Smith (23) after intercepting a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys players are seen on the bench in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys players are seen on the bench in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) looks down on the bench in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington. Dallas lost 24-16.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) looks down on the bench in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington. Dallas lost 24-16.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) swaps jerseys with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (3), left, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) swaps jerseys with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (3), left, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles after an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington. Dallas lost 24-16.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles after an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington. Dallas lost 24-16.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.

Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News