Buccaneers-Cowboys: Top Storylines & Key Matchups in Week Five

The winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night in Week Five, seeking their first victory of the 2026 season. With Baker Mayfield sidelined due to a thumb injury, rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels will make his second consecutive start for Tampa Bay against a high-scoring Cowboys offense averaging 30.5 points per game.

Key matchups highlighted by Scott Smith include Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb against rookie cornerback Keionte Scott, and Quinnen Williams battling Tampa Bay guard Ben Bredeson. Both squads are dealing with pass-rush difficulties, having combined for only 10 sacks across the first four weeks of the campaign.