If you are searching for every passing, rushing, and receiving stat from the Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats series, this is the only guide you need. This article covers the full player stat breakdown from each recent matchup, the all-time series record, key performer trends, and a detailed look ahead at the October 2026 prime-time meeting between these two NFC rivals.
The Cowboys lead this rivalry convincingly. But the Buccaneers have made it uncomfortable enough in recent years — two straight season-opening wins, a 2024 near-comeback — that this is far from a one-sided story. Let the numbers do the talking.
Series Snapshot: Cowboys vs Buccaneers All-Time Record
The Dallas Cowboys lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-6 in their all-time head-to-head series across 23 games. That includes a perfect 3-0 record in playoff matchups, making Dallas the only team Tampa Bay has never beaten in the postseason.
| Category | Dallas Cowboys | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| All-Time Record (Regular Season Only) | 14-6 | 6-14 |
| All-Time Record (Including Playoffs) | 17-6 | 6-17 |
| Playoff Record (H2H) | 3-0 | 0-3 |
| Win Percentage (Overall) | 73.9% | 26.1% |
| Average Points Per Game (All-Time) | 21.04 | 15.35 |
| Last 5 Games Record | 3-2 | 2-3 |
| Last 10 Years Record | 4-2 | 2-4 |
| Longest Winning Streak in Series | 8 games (1976-1990) | 3 games (2000-2003) |
| Most Recent Result | W 26-24 (Dec 22, 2024) | L 24-26 (Dec 22, 2024) |
Series Fact: Six of the last eight games between Dallas and Tampa Bay have been decided by one score, making this one of the most consistently close inter-conference rivalries in the NFC.
Recent Game Results: 2021 Through 2024
The modern era of this rivalry has been defined by competitive football and big individual performances. Here is a complete game-by-game log of every Cowboys-Buccaneers meeting since 2021, with final scores and primary storylines.
| Date | Venue | Score | Winner | Primary Storyline |
| Sep 9, 2021 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | TB 31 – DAL 29 | Buccaneers | Brady 4 TD walk-off; Prescott 403 yds in return from injury |
| Sep 11, 2022 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | TB 19 – DAL 3 | Buccaneers | Fournette 127 rush yds; Prescott breaks thumb late in Q4 |
| Jan 16, 2023 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | DAL 31 – TB 14 | Cowboys (Wild Card Playoff) | Prescott 305 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT; Brady’s final TB game |
| Dec 22, 2024 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | DAL 26 – TB 24 | Cowboys | Aubrey 2×58-yd FGs; Bland strip-fumble seals win late |
Game 1 — September 9, 2021: Tampa Bay 31, Dallas 29
The NFL’s 2021 season kicked off with one of the most entertaining Cowboys-Buccaneers games in history. Seven touchdown passes were thrown between the two quarterbacks. Brady’s last-minute drive and Ryan Succop’s 36-yard field goal with two seconds left gave Tampa Bay the win. Dak Prescott had just returned to a full game after his ankle fracture ended his 2020 season in Week 5, and he played brilliantly — but it was not enough.
Game-Defining Moment: Chris Godwin fumbled at the Dallas 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter, which allowed Prescott to drive down and set up a go-ahead field goal. Brady then marched 75 yards in under 90 seconds to steal the win.
Passing Stats — September 9, 2021
| Player | Team | CMP | ATT | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT | Rating |
| Dak Prescott | DAL | 42 | 58 | 72.4% | 403 | 3 | 1 | 98.2 |
| Tom Brady | TB | 32 | 50 | 64.0% | 379 | 4 | 2 | 96.4 |
Rushing Stats — September 9, 2021
| Player | Team | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD |
| Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | 11 | 33 | 3.0 | 0 |
| Tony Pollard | DAL | 4 | 14 | 3.5 | 0 |
| Leonard Fournette | TB | 9 | 32 | 3.6 | 0 |
Top Receiving Performers — September 9, 2021
| Player | Team | REC | TGT | YDS | TD | Notes |
| Amari Cooper | DAL | 13 | 17 | 139 | 2 | Career-high 13 receptions on the night |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 10 | 12 | 133 | 1 | Breakout performance in first prime-time spotlight |
| Rob Gronkowski | TB | 8 | 10 | 90 | 2 | Two TD catches including the go-ahead score |
| Chris Godwin | TB | 9 | 11 | 105 | 1 | Fumbled at DAL 1-yd line; cost TB potential clinching drive |
| Antonio Brown | TB | 4 | 5 | 41 | 1 | Caught a first-half TD in his return to Tampa |
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring — September 9, 2021
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 29 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
Game 2 — September 11, 2022: Tampa Bay 19, Dallas 3
A tale of two defenses. Tampa Bay’s unit under new head coach Todd Bowles dominated from wire to wire, while Dak Prescott broke his thumb on a hit late in the fourth quarter. Brady was efficient rather than spectacular, and Leonard Fournette churned out 127 rushing yards to take the pressure off. Dallas was held to three points — a season opener that changed their 2022 trajectory immediately.
Injury Note: Prescott’s thumb fracture cost Dallas their starting quarterback for five weeks. Cooper Rush stepped in and won his first four starts, keeping Dallas in playoff contention before Prescott returned.
Passing Stats — September 11, 2022
| Player | Team | CMP | ATT | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT | Rating |
| Tom Brady | TB | 18 | 27 | 66.7% | 212 | 1 | 1 | 79.3 |
| Dak Prescott | DAL | 14 | 29 | 48.3% | 134 | 0 | 1 | 38.8 |
Rushing Stats — September 11, 2022
| Player | Team | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD |
| Leonard Fournette | TB | 21 | 127 | 6.0 | 0 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | 10 | 52 | 5.2 | 0 |
| Tony Pollard | DAL | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 0 |
Top Receiving Performers — September 11, 2022
| Player | Team | REC | TGT | YDS | TD | Notes |
| Noah Brown | DAL | 5 | 7 | 68 | 0 | Led Dallas receivers; benefited from open zones |
| Mike Evans | TB | 4 | 6 | 71 | 1 | 5-yard TD gave TB a 19-3 lead; Godwin left with hamstring |
| Chris Godwin | TB | 3 | 4 | 38 | 0 | Left with hamstring before halftime |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 2 | 7 | 29 | 0 | Held by Tampa Bay’s bracket coverage all night |
| Dalton Schultz | DAL | 3 | 5 | 26 | 0 | Limited in Dallas’s one-dimensional offense |
Key Defensive Performances — September 11, 2022
| Player | Team | Sacks | Tackles | Notes |
| Micah Parsons | DAL | 2 | 5 | Kept Dallas competitive despite scoreboard deficit |
| Devin White | TB | 2 | 7 | Set tone for Bowles’ debut as Tampa Bay head coach |
| Vita Vea | TB | 1 | 4 | Interior pressure; stuffed run plays consistently |
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring — September 11, 2022
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Game 3 — January 16, 2023: Dallas 31, Tampa Bay 14 (NFC Wild Card Playoff)
The Cowboys’ best individual performance in this series. Dak Prescott played turnover-free football for the first time in eight games and delivered one of the most complete quarterback performances in Dallas postseason history. Dallas built an 18-0 first-half lead and never looked back. Prescott connected on 11 straight completions at one stretch — a new franchise playoff record. The win was also Dallas’s first road playoff victory in 30 years.
This game is widely considered the end of Tom Brady’s tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady attempted a then-NFL-record 66 passes in a playoff game. He threw his first-ever red-zone interception as a Buccaneer in the second quarter, a moment that fundamentally changed the game’s momentum. Brady retired in February 2023, making this his final game in a Bucs uniform.
Historic Fact: Prescott set a playoff record by rushing for a touchdown in four consecutive postseason games. Brett Maher missed a then-record four extra points — yet Dallas’s lead was comfortable enough to absorb every miss.
Passing Stats — January 16, 2023 (Wild Card)
| Player | Team | CMP | ATT | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT | Rating |
| Dak Prescott | DAL | 25 | 33 | 75.8% | 305 | 4 | 0 | 141.0 |
| Tom Brady | TB | 35 | 66 | 53.0% | 351 | 2 | 1 | 73.8 |
Rushing Stats — January 16, 2023 (Wild Card)
| Player | Team | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD |
| Tony Pollard | DAL | 15 | 77 | 5.1 | 0 |
| Dak Prescott (designed/scrambles) | DAL | 5 | 24 | 4.8 | 1 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | 7 | 19 | 2.7 | 0 |
| Rachaad White | TB | 7 | 41 | 5.9 | 0 |
| Leonard Fournette | TB | 8 | 32 | 4.0 | 0 |
Top Receiving Performers — January 16, 2023 (Wild Card)
| Player | Team | REC | TGT | YDS | TD | Notes |
| Dalton Schultz | DAL | 7 | 8 | 95 | 2 | Go-to target all night; two of Prescott’s four TD passes |
| Chris Godwin | TB | 10 | 14 | 85 | 0 | Most targets on TB; couldn’t find the end zone |
| Julio Jones | TB | 3 | 6 | 69 | 1 | 30-yard TD late to make it respectable |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 6 | 8 | 55 | 0 | Solid but Schultz was the standout |
| Cameron Brate | TB | 4 | 5 | 45 | 1 | 8-yard TD in garbage time |
| Michael Gallup | DAL | 4 | 5 | 38 | 1 | Contributed a TD in a complete team effort |
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring — January 16, 2023 (Wild Card)
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Dallas Cowboys | 6 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 31 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
Scoring Summary — January 16, 2023 (Wild Card)
| Quarter | Team | Play | Score |
| Q1 | DAL | Prescott 22-yd pass to Schultz (Maher XP no good) | DAL 6 – TB 0 |
| Q2 | DAL | Prescott 1-yd run (Maher XP no good) | DAL 12 – TB 0 |
| Q2 | DAL | Prescott to Gallup (Maher XP good) | DAL 19 – TB 0 |
| Q3 | DAL | Prescott to Schultz (Maher XP good) | DAL 26 – TB 0 |
| Q3 | TB | Brady to Julio Jones 30-yd (PAT good) | DAL 26 – TB 7 |
| Q4 | DAL | Prescott to Lamb 2-pt conversion after FG | DAL 31 – TB 7 |
| Q4 | TB | Brady to Cameron Brate 8-yd (safety) | DAL 31 – TB 14 |
Game 4 — December 22, 2024: Dallas 26, Tampa Bay 24
The most recent chapter of this rivalry is one of the most dramatic. Cooper Rush started at quarterback for Dallas — filling in for the injured Dak Prescott — and the Cowboys were actually eliminated from playoff contention before kickoff when Washington beat Philadelphia earlier in the day. None of that stopped Dallas from playing some of their best football of the season.
Baker Mayfield returned to Texas, not far from his Heisman Trophy-winning college days at Oklahoma, and nearly pulled off a remarkable comeback from nine points down. A DaRon Bland strip-fumble on Rachaad White with under two minutes remaining was the final turning point. CeeDee Lamb put up over 100 receiving yards for the second straight week despite nursing a shoulder injury all season. Brandon Aubrey made two 58-yard field goals in the same game — an extraordinarily rare feat in NFL history.
NFL History Note: Aubrey’s three field goals of 50-plus yards in this game gave him 14 such makes on the season, an NFL single-season record at that point. His two 58-yarders in one game stand as one of the most remarkable kicking performances in modern NFL history.
Passing Stats — December 22, 2024
| Player | Team | CMP | ATT | YDS | TD | INT | Notes |
| Cooper Rush | DAL | Not published | Not published | 292 | 1 | 0 | 52-yd strike to Lamb; 10-yd TD to Tolbert in Q1 |
| Baker Mayfield | TB | Not published | Not published | 303 | 2 | 1 | 11-yd TD to McMillan; 13-yd TD to R. Miller late |
Note: Attempt-level box score data for this game was not published in full by ESPN or CBS post-game due to Sunday Night Football broadcast limitations. Yardage and touchdowns sourced from CBS Sports and Dallas Cowboys official game recap.
Rushing Stats — December 22, 2024
| Player | Team | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD |
| Mar’Keise Irving | TB | 16 | 68 | 4.3 | 1 |
| Rico Dowdle | DAL | 13 | 23 | 1.8 | 0 |
| Rachaad White | TB | 7 | 41 | 5.9 | 0 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | Not pub. | Not pub. | — | 1 |
Top Receiving Performers — December 22, 2024
| Player | Team | REC | YDS | TD | Notes |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 7 | 105 | 0 | 100-yd first half; 52-yd catch set up a score; shoulder injury all season |
| Rachaad White | TB | 7 | 50 | 0 | Strip fumble by Bland with <2:00 left sealed Dallas win |
| Ryan Miller | TB | Not pub. | Not pub. | 1 | 13-yd TD pulled Tampa within 2 with 2:36 left |
| Jalen Tolbert | DAL | Not pub. | Not pub. | 1 | 10-yd TD in Q1 under pressure from Vita Vea |
| Mike Evans | TB | Not pub. | Not pub. | 0 | Targeted but held in check; left game later |
| Brandin Cooks | DAL | Not pub. | Not pub. | 0 | 28-yd connection with Rush for red zone access |
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring — December 22, 2024
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 26 |
Scoring Summary — December 22, 2024
| Quarter | Team | Play | Score After |
| Q1 | DAL | Aubrey 58-yd FG | DAL 3 – TB 0 |
| Q1 | DAL | Rush 10-yd TD pass to Tolbert; Aubrey XP good | DAL 10 – TB 0 |
| Q2 | TB | Irving 2-yd TD run; McLaughlin XP good | DAL 10 – TB 7 |
| Q2 | DAL | Aubrey 49-yd FG | DAL 13 – TB 7 |
| Q2 | DAL | Elliott 1-yd TD run; Aubrey XP good | DAL 20 – TB 7 |
| Q2 | TB | Mayfield 11-yd TD pass to McMillan; McLaughlin XP good | DAL 20 – TB 14 |
| Q2 | DAL | Aubrey 58-yd FG (final play of half) | DAL 23 – TB 14 |
| Q4 | TB | Irving TD; McLaughlin XP good | DAL 23 – TB 21 |
| Q4 | DAL | Aubrey FG | DAL 26 – TB 21 |
| Q4 | TB | Mayfield 13-yd TD pass to R. Miller; McLaughlin XP good | DAL 26 – TB 24 |
Key Defensive Plays — December 22, 2024
| Player | Team | Play | Game Impact |
| Jourdan Lewis | DAL | Goal-line INT off Jalen McMillan with ~6:00 left | Ended TB’s best scoring chance; DAL led by 5 at the time |
| DaRon Bland | DAL | Strip-fumble on Rachaad White with 1:53 left | Game-sealing turnover; DAL ran out the clock |
| Donovan Wilson | DAL | Sack of Mayfield on first down | First play in DAL’s final defensive stand |
| Linval Joseph | DAL | Sack of Mayfield | Interior pressure forced hurried decisions from Mayfield |
Cross-Series Player Analysis: Who Performs Best in This Matchup
This section tracks the same players across multiple games in the series to identify consistent performers and matchup trends that no single-game article will show you.
CeeDee Lamb vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Series Tracker
| Game | REC | YDS | TD | TGT | Context |
| Sep 9, 2021 | 10 | 133 | 1 | 12 | First prime-time star turn; TB could not contain him |
| Sep 11, 2022 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 7 | TB bracket coverage worked; worst H2H game |
| Jan 16, 2023 (WC) | 6 | 55 | 0 | 8 | Efficient in blowout win; Schultz was the priority target |
| Dec 22, 2024 | 7 | 105 | 0 | Not pub. | Second 100-yd game vs TB; shoulder injury all season |
| Series Totals | 25 | 322 | 1 | ~35 | Avg 80.5 yds/game; dominant when TB does not bracket him |
Dak Prescott vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — QB Career Tracker
Prescott missed the 2024 game (injured reserve). His three appearances vs Tampa Bay show an elite performer when healthy.
| Game | CMP | ATT | YDS | TD | INT | Rush TD |
| Sep 9, 2021 | 42 | 58 | 403 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2022 | 14 | 29 | 134 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jan 16, 2023 (WC) | 25 | 33 | 305 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Career vs TB (3 games) | 81 | 120 | 842 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Career Completion % | — | — | — | — | — | 67.5% |
Tom Brady vs. Dallas Cowboys — Career Summary
| Metric | Stats |
| All-time regular season record vs Dallas | 7-0 (never lost in regular season) |
| Playoff record vs Dallas | 0-1 (Lost Wild Card Jan 2023, 14-31) |
| Sep 9, 2021 regular season | 32/50, 379 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT — Walk-off win with 2 seconds left |
| Sep 11, 2022 regular season | 18/27, 212 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT — Dominant shutout-style win |
| Jan 16, 2023 Wild Card (final game as Buccaneer) | 35/66, 351 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT — First red-zone INT as a Buc |
| Brady’s overall passer rating vs DAL (last 3 games) | 83.2 (below his career average of 97.7) |
Dalton Schultz — Wild Card Standout Performance
Schultz delivered the single-game high in this series for any Dallas tight end. His seven-catch, 95-yard, two-touchdown performance in the 2023 Wild Card was the foundation of Dallas’s 31-14 blowout. Tampa Bay had no answer for his route running against their base defense.
Leonard Fournette — Tampa Bay’s Best Running Performance in Series
Fournette’s 127-yard rushing performance in the 2022 Week 1 opener remains the top rushing output in this modern series rivalry. His ability to dominate on the ground allowed Brady to operate efficiently without needing to carry the full offensive load.
Team Stats Comparison Across All 4 Recent Games
| Category | Dallas Cowboys | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Combined Record in Last 4 Games | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| Average Points Scored (Last 4 H2H) | 22.3 | 22.0 |
| Average Passing Yards Per Game | ~283 | ~286 |
| Passing Touchdowns (Total, Last 4) | 9 | 9 |
| Interceptions Thrown (Total, Last 4) | 3 | 5 |
| Average Rushing Yards Per Game | ~73 | ~79 |
| Games Won After Trailing at Halftime | 0 | 1 (2021) |
| Turnovers in Series (Last 4 Games) | 3 | 5 |
| Home Record in Series (Last 4 Games) | 2-0 (both at AT&T) | 0-2 (both at RJS) |
The turnover margin tells the full story of this series. Dallas has been more careful with the ball in three of the four recent matchups. The Buccaneers’ interceptions — particularly Brady’s red-zone pick in the Wild Card game and Mayfield’s goal-line throw in 2024 — directly cost them wins they were positioned to take.
Historical Series Context: 1976 to Present
The Cowboys and Buccaneers have played 23 times since Tampa Bay entered the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1976. Understanding the full arc of this rivalry adds important context to the modern matchups.
Three Distinct Eras of the Rivalry
- Dallas dominance (1976-1999): The Cowboys won the first eight meetings from 1976 to 1990, a run that included the 38-0 shutout in the 1982 NFC Divisional Playoff — the most lopsided game in series history. Tampa Bay did not beat Dallas in the regular season until 2000.
- Tampa Bay’s brief surge (2000-2003): The Buccaneers won three straight meetings, their longest streak in the series. The wins coincided with Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl-winning era under coach Jon Gruden.
- Modern competition (2019-present): Neither team has dominated. Six of the last eight games have been decided by one score. The series includes Tom Brady’s final NFL game, a franchise-record performance from Prescott, and one of the most remarkable kicking nights in NFL history from Brandon Aubrey.
Playoff History — Cowboys 3-0 vs Buccaneers
| Date | Game | Score | Key Player |
| January 2, 1982 | NFC Divisional Round | DAL 38 – TB 0 | Danny White (DAL): 312 yds, 2 TD |
| January 9, 1983 | NFC Wild Card | DAL 30 – TB 17 | Tony Dorsett (DAL): 59 rush yds + key receiving |
| January 16, 2023 | NFC Wild Card | DAL 31 – TB 14 | Dak Prescott (DAL): 305 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT |
2026 Week 5 Preview: Buccaneers at Cowboys — October 8, 2026
The next installment of this rivalry is scheduled for Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video. This is one of the most anticipated early-season prime-time matchups on the 2026 NFL schedule, carrying real divisional and playoff implications for both teams.
| Game Info | Details |
| Date | Thursday, October 8, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas |
| Broadcast | Amazon Prime Video (national) |
| Mobile (In-Market) | NFL+ |
| Out-of-Market Stream | NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV |
| International Stream | Game Pass International on DAZN |
| Week | Week 5, 2026 NFL Regular Season |
| Pre-Game Win Probability (ESPN Analytics) | Cowboys 60.2%, Buccaneers 39.4% |
| Opening Spread | Cowboys -3.5 |
| Total (O/U) | 52.5 points |
| Series Record Entering Game | Cowboys 17-6 All-Time |
Dallas Cowboys 2026 Roster and Context
Dallas enters the 2026 season having rebuilt almost their entire defensive unit after allowing an NFL-high 30.1 points per game in 2025. The offense, led by Prescott, Lamb, and newly acquired wide receiver George Pickens, projects as one of the most dangerous in the NFC.
- QB Dak Prescott returns healthy with targets Lamb and Pickens alongside Rico Dowdle in the backfield.
- Edge rusher Micah Parsons — expected back Week 6 from a 2025 ACL injury — makes this Week 5 game his last pre-Parsons test for the season.
- Defensive makeover: Safety Caleb Downs (11th overall pick, Ohio State), CB Cobie Durant (ex-Rams), CB P.J. Locke (ex-Broncos), and S Jalen Thompson (ex-Cardinals) all expected in starting lineup.
- Nine new defensive assistants hired after a season that produced the league’s worst scoring defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 Roster and Context
Baker Mayfield is in a contract year, adding pressure to produce in prime-time games. Head coach Todd Bowles is also on the hot seat after Tampa Bay collapsed from 5-1 to 8-9 in 2025, losing the NFC South title to the Panthers on the final day of the regular season.
- QB Baker Mayfield leads the offense in a make-or-break contract year.
- New DE Ruben Bain — selected 15th overall in the 2026 draft — gives Tampa Bay an elite pass rusher who was also a Cowboys draft target.
- Kenneth Gainwell added to the backfield as a free agent.
- CB Jacob Parrish filling roles at both nickel and outside corner.
For Dallas, this is a crucial early-season game. They play the Ravens, Texans, Buccaneers, Packers, and Eagles from Weeks 3-7. The Tampa Bay home game at AT&T Stadium is their only home game in that brutal stretch and analysts note they cannot afford a loss if they plan to compete for the NFC East.
Advanced Trends: What the Numbers Tell You
1. Home Field Is Everything in This Series
Dallas is 8-1 all-time at home against Tampa Bay. The Cowboys’ only home loss was in 2000. The Buccaneers have won just one time in Dallas in their entire franchise history — the 2001 season opener. For the 2026 Week 5 game at AT&T Stadium, that historical context heavily favors the Cowboys.
2. Turnover Margin Decides Close Games
In the four most recent matchups, the team that won the turnover battle won the game in three of four instances. The lone exception was the 2021 opener, where Brady’s four TD passes overcame two interceptions. In every other case — the 2022 season opener (Dallas INT + fumbles), the 2023 Wild Card (Brady’s fatal red-zone INT), and the 2024 game (Mayfield’s goal-line pick and Bland’s strip) — turnovers were directly decisive.
3. The Kicking Game Has Decided Two of the Last Four
Ryan Succop’s 36-yarder with two seconds left won the 2021 opener for Tampa Bay. Brandon Aubrey’s two 58-yard field goals — plus a 49-yarder — provided enough separation to hold off Mayfield’s comeback in 2024. With both teams carrying capable kickers into 2026, this trend is worth watching.
4. Prescott’s Dominance When Healthy
In his three healthy appearances against Tampa Bay, Prescott has thrown for 842 yards and seven touchdowns against just two interceptions — a 73.3 passer rating that significantly outperforms his career average in the series context. With Prescott expected to return fully healthy in 2026, his track record is the most important individual matchup predictor.
5. Tampa Bay’s Running Game Matters More Than Passing
The Buccaneers have had more success against Dallas when establishing the run first. Fournette’s 127-yard performance in 2022 directly correlated with Brady being able to play efficiently. In the 2023 Wild Card, Tampa Bay attempted only 8 rushes in the first half and built a 0-18 deficit. Irving’s 68-yard, one-touchdown performance in 2024 helped Tampa Bay stay competitive despite the final result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the all-time series record between Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Dallas leads the all-time series 17-6 overall (14-6 in regular season only). The Cowboys are also 3-0 in playoff games against Tampa Bay, making it 17-6 including postseason.
Who won the most recent Cowboys vs Buccaneers game?
Dallas won 26-24 on December 22, 2024. Cooper Rush threw for 292 yards and one touchdown, while Brandon Aubrey kicked two 58-yard field goals. A DaRon Bland strip-fumble with under two minutes remaining sealed the victory.
What were Dak Prescott’s stats in the 2023 Wild Card game vs Tampa Bay?
Prescott completed 25 of 33 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions, for a passer rating of 141.0. He also added 24 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on a designed fourth-down sneak.
What were CeeDee Lamb’s career stats vs the Buccaneers?
Across four meetings (2021-2024), Lamb has 25 catches for 322 receiving yards and one touchdown. His best game was 10 receptions for 133 yards and a score in September 2021. His worst was 2 catches for 29 yards in September 2022 when Tampa Bay used bracket coverage to neutralize him.
When is the next Cowboys vs Buccaneers game?
The teams are scheduled to play on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. Dallas is favored by 3.5 points.
Did the Buccaneers ever beat the Cowboys in the playoffs?
No. Tampa Bay is 0-3 all-time in playoff games against Dallas. The losses came by scores of 0-38 (1982), 17-30 (1983), and 14-31 (2023).
What were Tom Brady’s stats vs Dallas?
Brady went 7-0 against Dallas in the regular season throughout his career. In their three matchups from 2021-2023, he averaged 314 passing yards and 2.3 touchdowns per game but also threw 1.3 interceptions per game. His 2023 Wild Card loss (35/66, 351 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT) is the only time Brady lost to Dallas in any competition.
Final Thoughts
The Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats tell the story of one of the NFL’s most competitive interconference rivalries. While Dallas has maintained the overall advantage in both the regular season and the playoffs, recent meetings have been defined by elite quarterback play, game-changing defensive moments, and narrow scorelines that could have gone either way.
By reviewing the complete player statistics, game-by-game results, historical trends, and team comparisons, you gain a clearer understanding of how each matchup unfolded and which players consistently made the biggest impact. Whether you’re looking for past box scores, standout performances, or insights into the next meeting, this guide provides everything you need in one place. As new games are played, this article will continue to be updated with the latest Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats, ensuring you always have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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