Jalon Daniels completed 19-of-25 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown in the Buccaneers’ 24-16, Week 5 win over the Cowboys, adding 23 yards on seven carries.
Daniels watched from the sideline as the Cowboys took the opening possession for quick touchdown drive, responding in splendid fashion by piecing together the longest Buccaneers drive since 2007 to knot the game at seven at the start of the second quarter. A last-minute Brandon Aubrey field goal at the end of the first half sent the Buccaneers to the break down by three but two early touchdowns after the break gave the Buccaneers a lead they would not relinquish. Running back Bucky Irving broke free for a 72-yard gain on the first play of the third quarter and Emeka Egbuka would punch it in on a 14-yard rush the following play. A Dak Prescott interception on the subsequent possession gave the ball right back to Daniels and the Buccaneers. Another explosive play, this time a 64-yard, catch-and-run dime to Tez Johnson got them immediately back into scoring position. Daniels picks up his first professional win in his second career start while the Buccaneers improve to 1-4, miraculously only 1.5-games back of the division lead. Daniels will be a shaky QB2 when the Bucs host the Steelers in Week 6, assuming he gets at least one more start for the injured Baker Mayfield.
