Bowles’ blitzes, Irving’s big night power Bucs past Cowboys

Todd Bowles’ pressure packages disrupted Dak Prescott as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Dallas Cowboys 24–16 on Thursday night for their first win of the season.

With Antoine Winfield Jr. sidelined, Bowles used safety Tykee Smith as a blitzer. Smith generated five quarterback pressures on seven blitzes, according to ESPN. Prescott completed just two of 13 throws against the blitz through three quarters and nine of 20 overall. Tampa Bay also held Dallas to 50 rushing yards.

Irving changed the game immediately after halftime. Trailing 10–7, the Bucs got a 72-yard burst from him to set up Emeka Egbuka’s 14-yard touchdown run. Irving finished with 165 yards on 21 carries and scored twice, catching a five-yard touchdown pass and adding a one-yard rushing score during Tampa Bay’s 17-point third quarter.

Jalon Daniels, the undrafted rookie starting for injured Baker Mayfield, supplied an efficient performance in his second NFL start. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions, adding 23 rushing yards. Daniels went eight for eight on the opening touchdown drive and later connected with Tez Johnson for 64 yards to help set up Irving’s second score.

Tampa Bay controlled possession for 39:21 and committed no turnovers, while Dallas gave the ball away three times. The Cowboys still threatened after Bowles passed up a short field goal with a 24–10 lead. Prescott answered with a 99-yard touchdown drive, but Alex Anzalone intercepted a tipped pass on Dallas’ final possession.

Irving then broke off a 22-yard run for the first down that allowed the Bucs to run out the clock and improve to 1–4.