The Bucs entered Thursday night with everything on the line in determining the rest of the season. While head coach Todd Bowles’ seat is hotter than ever, roster moves are also worth considering as Tampa Bay will likely be in a selling situation at the trade deadline. That made Week 5’s matchup against the Cowboys a must-watch.

On the road in Dallas, the Bucs emerged victorious. They beat the Cowboys 24-16 in a game they hope begins a turnaround. That means the most extensive most impressive column of 2026 thus far.

RB Bucky Irving

First, Bucky Irving found paydirt in the first half.

Then, Irving found plenty of green grass to start the second half.

That 72-yard run brought some serious energy to a team that has desperately needed it. After his long run to put Tampa Bay in scoring position, Emeka Egbuka had his first rushing touchdown to give the team a 14-10 lead.

Irving’s final stat line was quite impressive: 21 carries, 165 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.

CB Zyon McCollum

Zyon McCollum is playing more like the guy the Bucs’ front office envisioned when they extended him.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

McCollum has had an underrated start to this season, saving his best performance under the lights at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Shutting down CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens is no easy task, but that is exactly what he helped do. McCollum drew Lamb for the most part, but the fifth-year cornerback had a pass breakup on Pickens on a third-and-10 in the second quarter and finished with two pass breakups. Lamb had just two catches for nine yards.

QB Jalon Daniels

So, how about Jalon Daniels?

Bucs QB Jalon Daniels – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

I was a little too harsh putting him on most disappointing last week given his two interceptions. Daniels looked much more poised running Zac Robinson’s offense Thursday night, efficiently throwing the football and scrambling when he needed to make something happen. Much of his damage came on a third-quarter deep ball to Tez Johnson, who he found wide open for a 64-yard catch.

On the night, the undrafted rookie was 19-of-25 for 189 yards and a touchdown. Now is his audition to be the long-term backup, and he made a quality second impression.

CB Jacob Parrish

Jacob Parrish’s transition to outside cornerback is paying dividends, as he has taken the next step after a solid rookie season. Despite being 5-foot-10, Parrish is a physical player who always gives a strong play-to-play effort. That was needed throughout Thursday night, especially as he battled with the 6-foot-3 George Pickens. There was some give-and-take, but he made a nice pass breakup in the endzone. Parrish had four pass breakups on the night.

OLB Yaya Diaby

You just never know what will happen on Thursday Night Football. Expect the unexpected, and for the Bucs, that came in the way of a Yaya Diaby interception. After Tykee Smith deflected the ball up, Diaby instinctively hauled it in for his first career pick. It was a timely turnover with Tampa Bay leading 14-10 at the time.

Now, if “Sub-Zero” can generate some pressure and sacks, he’ll make this list more often.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Special Teams Ace Miles Killebrew

The Bucs had not just one but TWO third-quarter turnovers as they started to control the game. KaVontae Turpin fumbled it on the kickoff, with veteran special teamer Miles Killebrew knocking the ball out of his hands and Kevin Knowles recovering it. It only takes a couple of plays to change the momentum and swing the game, and in this game, it worked to the away team’s advantage.

ILB Alex Anzalone

The end of the game was more stressful than it needed to be, but Alex Anzalone saved the day. Jake Ferguson failed to haul in a pass up the middle, with it soaring in the air. All Anzalone needed to do was track it and catch it, which he did to seal the win. That was a clutch play.

Bucs’ First Offensive Drive

It took forever.

I do want to give the Bucs’ offense credit for sticking out a 15-play, 73-yard drive that lasted 10 minutes and 58 seconds. As noted on Amazon Prime’s TV broadcast, it was Tampa Bay’s longest offensive drive since 2007. Although the Cowboys bailed them out with a couple of costly penalties, I wanted to mention this in the most impressive column for a few reasons.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Jalon Daniels completed all eight of his passes for 49 yards, capping off the lengthy drive with a 5-yard touchdown throw to Bucky Irving. Daniels helped the offense convert all three third-down chances, and they punched it in for a touchdown rather than settling for a field goal. Given how this season has gone, they’ll take it.

RG Cody Mauch

Cody Mauch played surprisingly well watching him live. The TV broadcast pointed out multiple replays of Mauch sealing running lanes for Bucky Irving to hit in stride. He looked cleaner in his technique, which is encouraging for an offensive line that must hold up longer and create room to run.

TE Cade Otton

Cade Otton actually had a solid game as a blocker and receiver. Otton was key to sparking Bucky Irving’s 72-yard run (see above), and he also made a dent in the passing game without dropping any passes. It is worth shouting out.