Jalon Daniels gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers exactly the spark they needed on Thursday night, and he made sure everyone knew how it felt afterward.
The rookie quarterback helped lead Tampa Bay to a 24-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, giving the Buccaneers their first victory after an 0-4 start. Daniels was sharp throughout the game, finishing 19 of 25 for 189 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also added seven carries for 23 yards.
After the final whistle, Daniels shared a moment with his mother, Star Daniels, who told him how proud she was of him. Then he took to X to celebrate the win in his own way.
“GO BUCS, BABY!❤️🖤 #WeAreTheKrewe,” wrote the backup signal-caller.
The 23-year-old was undrafted in April and got thrown into the mix in Week 3 after Baker Mayfield suffered a thumb injury. His first start in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers was ordinary, and Daniels said he would be better. Against Dallas, he backed that up on a prime-time stage.
“Six months ago, if you would have told me that my first win would have been on a Thursday night, (Amazon) Prime football game, I don't know what I would have told you,” said Daniel, as quoted by the Associated Press' Schuyler Dixon.
Fans flooded in with support after the win, congratulating him on his first NFL victory.
“Let's go, JD! We love you. Go Bucs,” said @Noahkp9q.
“So happy for you. You deserve every moment of this 💙❤️,” added @F34r_damac.
“So proud of you, Jalon. Keep it going!
We're all cheering for you!” wrote @George_Pavlik.
“Your smile and energy are infectious. Great work. Glad you're on the team,” stated @Anbunaki.
“Congrats on all the hard work! Rock chalk!
Go Bucs!” commented @crane_chiefs25.
Daniels is expected to start again in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In Other News...
Antonio Brown Just Reignited One Ugly Buccaneers Super Bowl Feud
Antonio Brown has never been one to let a dormant grievance stay buried, and his latest social media post dragged an old Buccaneers flashpoint back into the light. After Bruce Arians recently spoke on a podcast about Browns time in Tampa Bay, including the idea that defenses could take him out of a game and that he sometimes complicated things for himself, Brown responded with a pointed message of his own.
The post came with plenty of the same volatility that has followed Brown since his Buccaneers tenure ended, and it landed while his legal situation remains unresolved as his case tied to a Miami shooting moves forward. For Tampa Bay fans, it was another reminder that one of the most talented, and most combustible, figures from the Super Bowl run can still turn a conversation into a mess in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Bucky Irving Just Gave The Bucs Offense Real Life
Bucky Irving gave Tampa Bay exactly the kind of spark the offense had been looking for against Dallas, piling up a career-best 165 rushing yards while helping the Buccaneers erase a halftime deficit on the way to a comeback win. Irving was a factor as both a runner and receiver, finishing with two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown in a performance that gave the Bucs a real rhythm when they needed it most.
The emergence matters because Tampa Bay has been searching for more dependable balance, and Irvings showing suggested the ground game can be more than a supporting piece. The Bucs now head home to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, carrying momentum from a game in which Irvings production helped change the feel of the offense and left even more room to wonder how far that role can grow. [Read more 🡒]
Dak Prescott Left Tampa Facing More Than Just Another Loss
The Cowboys left Tampa with another loss, but the postgame scene added a little extra heat to an already rough night. Dallas has been searching for answers after a sloppy showing against the Buccaneers, and the frustration spilled into the building as the team headed out of the stadium. Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged the struggles afterward and said the organization will take a hard look at everything, including possible coaching staff changes.
Dak Prescott also found himself in the middle of a tense exchange on the way out, one that underscored just how raw the mood was around the Cowboys. He later described the interaction and made clear where he stands on criticism, preferring it to be delivered straight rather than from behind a turned head. For a team already trying to steady itself, even the walk to the exit became part of a longer conversation about accountability. [Read more 🡒]