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Story summary
The Buccaneers are set to face the Cowboys in an NFL matchup on Thursday, October 8th. With the Buccaneers starting their season at 0-4, they desperately need a win as their playoff chances appear bleak under normal circumstances. However, since they play in the NFC South, which is often considered the weakest division in the league, they still have hope with only two games separating them from first place.
The Cowboys are also just 2-2 but have been outperforming the struggling Eagles and could be favored to win this game. Despite having a relatively mediocre start themselves, the Cowboys boast one of the most efficient offenses in football led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who has nearly 75% of their yards coming through the air.
For the Buccaneers, star quarterback Baker Mayfield remains out due to an injury to his throwing thumb, which doesn't bode well for their chances against a strong Dallas defense. The game will be crucial as it could determine whether either team can start climbing back up in their respective divisions.
Written for “NFL Game Tonight” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The bad news for the Buccaneers: Their 0-4 start has been an unmitigated disaster that, in normal circumstances, would have already evaporated their playoff chances.
asserted
that → evaporate → chances
The good news for Tampa Bay, however, is that they play in the NFC South, meaning they’re still just two games out of a tie for the lead in what is often the worst division in the NFL.
asserted
what → play → NFL
All is not quite lost yet.
asserted
All → lose → ?
If the Bucs want to join the 1992 Chargers and become the second team to make the postseason after an 0-4 opening, they’ll need to stop the bleeding on Thursday night in north Texas.
asserted
they → want → Texas
They’ll have to do it without Baker Mayfield, who continues to nurse an injury to his throwing thumb.
asserted
who → have → thumb
They’ll face a challenge against the Cowboys, who are just 2-2 but look like slim favorites in the NFC East while the Eagles struggle to get out of neutral.
asserted
Eagles → face → neutral
The Cowboys have gotten an excellent first four games from Dak Prescott, who has paced one of the most efficient offenses in football.
asserted
who → get → football
No team is scoring more than Dallas’ 3.4 points per offensive series, and it’s been Prescott and the passing game doing most of that work.
asserted
Prescott → score → work
(Nearly 75%t of Dallas’ yards have come through the air, compared to a league average of two-thirds.)
asserted
75%t → come → thirds
A big outing against Tampa Bay would solidify the Cowboys’ path to a division title.
asserted
outing → solidify → title
How to watch
United States: Stream on Prime Video
Canada: Stream on DAZN and Fubo
United Kingdom: Watch on Sky Sports NFL or Sky Sports Main Event, or stream with NOW or NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
asserted
States → watch → DAZN
What to watch for
Jerry Jones loves a splashy deal, and he made one before last week’s win over the Texans.
asserted
he → watch → Texans
The Cowboys sent out a package built around a second-round draft choice to bring in Steelers cornerback Joey Porter, who didn’t make a Pro Bowl in his first four seasons but established himself as one of the league’s tougher man-to-man cover players all the same.
asserted
who → send → players
The next touchdown Porter surrenders as the primary defender on a target will be the first of his career.
asserted
Porter → surrender → career
Dallas made the deal without giving Porter the new contract that had eluded him in Pittsburgh, suggesting Jones saw his acquisition as a win-now endeavor.
asserted
Jones → make → endeavor
The Bucs will ride for another week, at least, with rookie QB Jalon Daniels.
asserted
Bucs → ride → Daniels
The Kansas product made his debut in Week 4 and finished 27th of the league’s 32 QBs in passer rating that week, and dead last in yardage per attempt.
asserted
product → make → attempt
He sprinkled in a pair of interceptions — not an ideal start for a rookie who is about to turn 24 and whose six years of collegiate experience might have suggested a less rocky debut.
uncertain
years → sprinkle → debut
Will Daniels find it hospitable to go up against the team that is dead-last in the NFL in net yards allowed per passing attempt (8) through the first four weeks?
asserted
that → find → weeks
Tampa Bay’s last flickers of hope depend on it.
asserted
flickers → depend → it
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