Cowboys fall to Buccaneers 24-16, owner Jerry Jones expresses disappointment

Dallas lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-16 on Thursday night, slipping to a 2-3 record to start the season. Owner Jerry Jones said the result was “extraordinarily disappointing,” adding that the team needed to finish games when opportunities arise.

The Buccaneers, who entered the game winless, were led by undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, who performed well in his first road start. Dallas held a 10-7 halftime lead but gave up 17 unanswered points in the third quarter, including a 72-yard kickoff return by Bucky Irving that set up a Tampa touchdown and a special-teams fumble by KaVontae Turpin that led to a 14-point swing.

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott threw an interception early in the second half and struggled throughout the game, while the defense allowed the Buccaneers to run effectively between the tackles. The Cowboys also failed to stop Irving’s runs in the fourth quarter, culminating in a final interception that sealed the loss.

After the game, Prescott addressed comments from a bystander who called the loss “embarrassing.” He said he preferred not to use that term, noting respect for Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and his defensive unit.

The defeat highlighted ongoing concerns with Dallas’ defense and special-teams play, as the team seeks to improve its performance in upcoming games.