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.
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ARLINGTON — The Cowboys did the unthinkable Thursday.
They lost at home to a winless team starting a rookie quarterback in just his second NFL start.
The defense was, as usual, bad in a 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay. Playing a team with a minus-5 turnover differential, the Cowboys coughed the ball up three times, including an interception at the Bucs’ 12 with just over a minute remaining and a chance to tie the game.
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Here are five thoughts from a clunker of significance:
Coaches do the dumbest things
For all the criticism Brian Schottenheimer has received over game and clock management this season, Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles said “Hold my Miller Lite.”
With the Bucs up by two touchdowns and facing 4th and goal from the Cowboys’ 1, Bowles elected to go for a touchdown, a choice in which the risks far outweighed the rewards. Yes, a TD would have made it a 31-10 game, but that was just points. The real reward to be had was to extend a lead past two scores, easily accomplishable with a chip-shot field goal.
The decision was literally the only possible lifeline the Cowboys had.
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And Bowles gave it to them when Sean Tucker was stopped just short of the goal line.
The Cowboys, of course, responded with a 99-yard touchdown drive to draw them within a touchdown with 5:26 to play.
There are times to send messages that a coach believes in his offense. This was a chance for a coach to win a game. And he dropped it.
Worst loss of the Brian Schottenheimer era? Tell us your grade for Cowboys-Buccaneers.
The Cowboys did the unthinkable in losing 24-16 to a previously winless Tampa Bay team on Thursday night. Share your report card with us.
False starts
Regardless of final outcome, another unsettling start for the Cowboys defense. On Tampa Bay’s first possession, the Bucs’ held the ball for 10:58 on the way to Bucky Irving’s 5-yard TD catch from Jalon Daniels.
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In terms of time of possession, it was the single longest touchdown drive against the Cowboys since Pro Football Reference started cataloging them in 2001. In that time, there had been only 16 touchdown drives in the league that were longer.
Along the way, Tampa Bay converted three third downs, got another on a third-down penalty by the Cowboys and converted on a 1st-and-20 situation thanks to yet another Cowboys’ penalty. Both penalties came on defensive backs DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel Jr., who couldn’t hold coverage because the defensive front couldn’t get to Daniels in anything close to a reasonable amount of time.
The Cowboys have allowed touchdowns on the opponents’ first possession three times in five games this year. The defense doesn’t do anything to create early momentum.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dallas Cowboys fans look up at the screen above the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Parker Kilpatrick high-fives Allie Williams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) receives an 18-yard touchdown pass at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin (9) receives a kick at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A Dallas Cowboys fan yells from the stands at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
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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.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to pass at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Big strikes
Can we table the Greatest Offense There Is talk for just a moment? Because, at the very least, the Cowboys’ defense makes any team capable of looking the equal, if not better than, the Cowboys’ version.
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Consider the third quarter, for your recommendation. The Bucs proved capable of being methodical in the first half. In the second, they proved capable of lightning-quick scores.
It took them just two plays to go 86 yards after receiving the second-half kickoff, thanks to a 72-yard run by Irving. He was freed up when center Graham Barton prevented Jaishawn Barham from closing a hole. On the next possession, just five plays to go 85 yards, thanks to a 64-yard hookup between Daniels and Tez Johnson, who was left uncovered when Bland bit on a move inside and tumbled down.
That’s an accomplishment not even Matt Eberflus can be blamed for. The Cowboys hadn’t given up multiple plays of 60 or more yards in a game since 2020 when Kyler Murray and the Cardinals put up three big-gainers against Mike Nolan and company.
Irving finished the game with 165 yards rushing, a career high.
It seems each week, the Cowboys defense finds new lows.
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Speaking of lows
The Cowboys failed to intercept Daniels, who had thrown four picks in his first two NFL games, extending their streak of interception-free defense to eight games, dating to last season.
It is the longest streak without an interception in team history.
The Cowboys are also the 15th team since the NFL-AFL merger to go without an interception through the first five games of a season. And here’s the spoiler: Not surprisingly, most of those teams ended up missing the postseason. Only three of them — the Giants in 2022, Washington in 2024 and San Francisco in 2025 — advanced to the playoffs. None advanced as far as the conference championship, and really, at this point, isn’t that the minimal measure for a successful Cowboys’ season?
Bad omens
Perhaps somebody should have had an idea that things weren’t gonna go according to plan when Joey Porter Jr. arrived to AT&T Stadium and, only moments later, left with an attendant close behind carrying a trash can.
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The official call was that Porter was ill.
And that was before the Cowboys’ defense took the field.