Cowboys face Tampa Bay and rookie Jalon Daniels on a short week

The Cowboys have a quick turnaround after Sunday’s 34–30 comeback win in Houston. Dallas hosts Tampa Bay at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Central on Prime Video.

The Buccaneers enter at 0–4 after losing 17–14 to Green Bay. All four defeats have been by seven points or fewer, according to the team’s game report.

Coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday’s game that rookie Jalon Daniels would start against Dallas. In his first NFL start, Daniels completed 19 of 27 passes for 148 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions, and added 55 rushing yards.

Pass protection is one issue to watch. Tampa Bay has allowed 16 sacks through four games, including three against Green Bay. Its final possession Sunday ended on fourth-and-11 under pressure.

The Buccaneers’ defense kept that game close, holding Green Bay to 283 yards and producing two fourth-quarter takeaways. Dallas brings an offense that scored four second-half touchdowns against Houston, including Prescott’s winning pass to CeeDee Lamb.

Sources: Buccaneers next-game preview; Buccaneers quarterback update; Buccaneers game report; Cowboys game report.