The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 on Thursday Night Football on October 8, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Week 5 matchup saw Tampa Bay secure its first victory of the 2026 NFL season.
The Buccaneers overcame an early-season slump behind a strong rushing performance from Bucky Irving and a productive outing from quarterback Jalon Daniels, who started in place of the injured Baker Mayfield.
What Was the Thursday Night Football Score Last Night?
The final score of Thursday Night Football on October 8, 2026, was:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 24
- Dallas Cowboys: 16
Tampa Bay improved to 1-4 on the season, while Dallas dropped to 2-3 following the loss.
The Buccaneers scored 17 points in the third quarter to take control of the game and held off the Cowboys to secure the eight-point victory.
Who Won Thursday Night Football in Week 5?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Thursday Night Football in Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season, defeating the Dallas Cowboys by eight points.
Running back Bucky Irving led Tampa Bay’s offensive attack, rushing for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels also contributed to the victory, throwing for 189 yards and one touchdown while filling in for injured starter Baker Mayfield.
Buccaneers vs. Cowboys: Key Player Stats
Several players delivered notable performances during Thursday night’s NFL matchup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving
- 165 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
Jalon Daniels
- 189 passing yards
- 1 passing touchdown
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott
- 316 passing yards
- 1 passing touchdown
- 2 interceptions
Despite Prescott throwing for more than 300 yards, Dallas struggled to turn its offensive production into enough points to overcome Tampa Bay.
Why Didn’t Baker Mayfield Play Against the Cowboys?
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield missed Thursday Night Football against Dallas because of an injury.
With Mayfield unavailable, Jalon Daniels took over the starting quarterback responsibilities.
Daniels helped guide Tampa Bay to its first win of the season, supported by Irving’s strong performance on the ground.
What Does the Buccaneers’ Win Mean for the NFC Standings?
Tampa Bay’s victory was an important result for a team that entered Week 5 without a win.
The Buccaneers improved their record to 1-4, keeping their hopes of recovering from a difficult start alive.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys fell to 2-3, putting additional pressure on Dallas heading into the remainder of its October schedule.
Both teams will look to build consistency as the 2026 NFL regular season continues.
Who Plays Thursday Night Football Next Week?
The next Thursday Night Football game is scheduled for October 15, 2026, as the NFL continues its weekly primetime schedule.
Fans can follow the upcoming Thursday Night Football matchup through the NFL’s official schedule.
Where Can You Watch Thursday Night Football?
Thursday Night Football games are primarily streamed on Amazon Prime Video in the United States.
Fans can watch on compatible smart TVs, streaming devices, smartphones, tablets and computers with access to Prime Video.
Select games may also be available on local television stations in the participating teams’ home markets.
Final Thoughts
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned a much-needed victory on Thursday Night Football, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 in Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season.
Bucky Irving’s 165 rushing yards and two touchdowns powered Tampa Bay’s offense, while Jalon Daniels delivered a solid performance in place of Baker Mayfield.
For Dallas, Dak Prescott’s 316 passing yards were not enough to prevent the Cowboys from falling below .500.
The result gives Tampa Bay momentum heading into Week 6, while Dallas will look to bounce back from its Thursday night defeat.