Cowboys Host 0-4 Buccaneers as Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels Makes 2nd Start
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 8
Cowboys Host 0-4 Buccaneers as Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels Makes 2nd Start
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 8
Summary
Dallas enters Thursday night at 2-2 facing a Tampa Bay team that fell to 0-4 after Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb, thrusting undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels into another start.
Daniels' first outing ended in a 17-14 loss to Green Bay, and a 0-5 start would effectively end Tampa Bay's playoff hopes; no NFL team has ever reached the postseason after opening 0-5.
The matchup still carries pressure for Dallas because its defense ranks 31st in EPA allowed per play, even after last week's 34-30 comeback win over Houston.
CeeDee Lamb gives the Cowboys a major edge after posting 17 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown against Houston and averaging an NFL-best 124.5 receiving yards per game.
Betting markets have swung sharply toward Dallas, with the line moving from Cowboys -3.5 to roughly -7.5 to -8.5 as Tampa Bay's quarterback situation deteriorated.