Jalon Daniels leads Bucs to big upset in Dallas

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Thursday Night Football in desperate search for their first win of the season, with few anticipating that undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels would deliver it. However, in just his second career start, Daniels exhibited the poise and command the team had been lacking. Leading the Buccaneers to a 24-16 upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Daniels orchestrated a record-breaking 15-play, 73-yard scoring drive that consumed 10 minutes and 58 seconds off the clock.

This drive was the second-longest scoring possession in franchise history, narrowly missing a record set in 1994 by just one second.

The rookie completed eight of his eight passes for 49 yards, converted crucial third downs, and concluded the possession with a five-yard touchdown pass to Bucky Irving. This performance marked a turning point for Tampa Bay's offense, demonstrating its ability to sustain drives rather than relying on sporadic explosive plays. Notably, the pre-snap motion and offensive misdirection employed against Dallas created problems for the opposing defense, giving Daniels opportunities to operate within the offense.

Rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards, added one touchdown, and maintained a 110.2 passer rating. He also contributed 23 rushing yards, contributing to a season-high 419 yards of total offense. While Irving's 165 rushing yards played a significant role in the victory, the defense also forced three turnovers. Nevertheless, Daniels deserves recognition for his game management, protecting the football, and providing opportunities for his playmakers.

With starting quarterback Baker Mayfield sidelined due to a thumb injury, Daniels entered the starting lineup with numerous questions about whether an undrafted rookie could sustain Tampa Bay's competitiveness. However, the Buccaneers may have discovered a promising talent worth developing beyond Mayfield's return.