Winless Bucs turn to rookie Jalon Daniels at Dallas on Thursday
The winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the 2-2 Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels starting again for injured quarterback Baker Mayfield. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, and Dallas is favored by about 10 points.
Week 5 of the NFL starts Thursday with a team still looking for its first win. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4) visit the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) at AT&T Stadium, with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, the Buccaneers and Sports Illustrated said.
Tampa Bay will start undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels again, because Baker Mayfield has a dislocated right thumb and is expected to miss at least three games, coach Todd Bowles said. In his first start, a 17-14 loss to Green Bay, Daniels threw for 148 yards and a touchdown and ran for 55 more.
The Bucs are 0-4 for the first time in 13 years, but they have lost all four games by seven points or fewer, The Sacramento Bee noted. They will also be without Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who has been ruled out.
Dallas is coming off a 34-30 win at Houston that was sealed by a touchdown in the final minute. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb lead one of the league's most dangerous offenses, but the defense is another story. Dallas has allowed at least 20 points in every game and still has no interceptions, the Bee said, while injuries have hit its secondary hard.
There may be help on the way. The Cowboys opened a 21-day practice window for All-Pro guard Tyler Smith, who had thumb surgery, and he could make his season debut Thursday if he is cleared, the team said.
The short week is also a test, since Dallas just finished a draining stretch that included a game in Brazil and an early road game in Houston. Sports Illustrated lists Dallas as a 10-point favorite, with a total of 47.5 points.
What we know: Daniels starts for Tampa Bay, and the game streams on Prime Video.
What we don't: Whether Tyler Smith is cleared to make his season debut.
Where outlets agree The Buccaneers and Sports Illustrated both list the game for Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with Daniels starting for Tampa Bay.
Where they differ Betting lines make Dallas a 10-point favorite, but Dallas coverage warns that all four Tampa Bay losses came by seven points or fewer.