The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take center stage in the NFL on Thursday night when they take on the Cowboys 2-2 at AT&T Stadum in Arlington, Texas. The Buccaneers are 0-4 for the first time in 13 years and looking for their first win after four straight one-possession losses. Rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels will make his second career start and first on the road as the Bucs try to pace their offense against a Dallas team that has scored 30.5 points per game but also allowed 28.0 per outing. To find out how to watch, listen and stream the match live, click here.
NFL analysts were impressed with the Cowboys’ Week 4 performance against Houston and expect Dak Prescott to stay red hot Thursday night. One expert specifically predicted a 100-yard receiving night for CeeDee Lamb, against a Bucs defense that has yet to allow one in 2026. One analyst thinks the Buccaneers have a chance if they can survive an early attack and then follow the high-scoring Dallas offense. One noted that the Dallas secondary recently added a top player, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (trade to Pittsburgh), while the Bucs recently lost one in safety, Antoine Winfield Jr. (fractured rib).
While it’s hard to find an analyst who considers the Bucs to be winners this week, some can imagine a close battle for Thursday’s national viewership. This is the case of Kris Knox of Bleacher Report, who writes:
“I know the Buccaneers don’t have to stay tight on a short week, in Dallas, and with an undrafted rookie at quarterback. Short week games can be weird, though, and it’s already been a strange season. Really, it’s not as different on paper as it seems. Dallas’ defense is still pretty bad and has struggled against both the run (31st) and the pass (24th). If Jalon Daniels can avoid turnovers and make the most of it. With his scrambling ability, the Bucs could even make this one uncomfortably close for the Cowboys.
The Buccaneers are 8.5-point road underdogs and NFL analysts are mostly united in their confidence in the favorites. Here’s what some of them predict will happen Thursday in Texas:
ESPN.com – For the second week in a row, the ESPN Mighty 11 votes in unison against Tampa Bay
CBSSports.com – Pete Prisco uses the word “rout” and not in favor of the Bucs
USA Today – Six experts agree on the Cowboys but there is disagreement on the outcome of the game.
Bleacher Report – Facing the Spread, BR Seven Analysts Get Home Team 6-1
Pro Football Talk – Mike Florio thinks Jalon Daniels could make a splash but doesn’t plan any surprises
Sports Illustrated – It’s eight to eight in Dallas for the MMQB team
Sporting News – Bill Bender sees Bucs struggling to keep up with Cowboys offense
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