Bucky Irving runs riot as Buccaneers stun Cowboys for first win of season

Bucky Irving rushed for a career-high 165 yards, including a 72-yard run that set up the go-ahead touchdown, and scored twice as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 on Thursday night for their first win of the season.

Jalon Daniels threw a touchdown pass to Irving in the first half while directing a turnover-free offense in just his second start, taking advantage of several Dallas miscues.

Daniels, who completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards, is filling in for Baker Mayfield, who is expected to miss at least one more game with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand.

Irving carried 21 times, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt, and scored on a five-yard reception and a one-yard plunge as the Buccaneers (1-4) finally found some momentum after entering the season with expectations of winning the NFC South.

Dak Prescott led a 99-yard drive and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens in the fourth quarter, but his second interception, off a tipped pass, helped Tampa Bay seal the victory in the final two minutes.

The Cowboys (2-3) continued their inconsistent start to the season, this time with an offense that was at times as sloppy as the defense have been during Brian Schottenheimer’s two seasons as head coach.

Irving broke free for a 72-yard run on the first play of the second half, setting up Emeka Egbuka’s 14-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep that put Tampa Bay ahead for good.

Prescott then threw his first interception of the night, and the Dallas defense left Tez Johnson wide open for a 64-yard reception that set up Irving’s one-yard touchdown run, extending the Buccaneers’ lead to 21-10.

KaVontae Turpin fumbled the ensuing kickoff, leading to a Tampa Bay field goal after Daniels found Egbuka for 21 yards on third-and-21 from the Dallas 48-yard line.

The Cowboys were also without one of their recent defensive reinforcements. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr was a late scratch ahead of what would have been his second appearance since arriving in a trade from Pittsburgh last week.

Prescott completed 24 of 42 passes for 316 yards but threw two interceptions for the first time this season. They were his first picks since the opener.