Not my idea, but just compare the two and the difference should be clear.
In 2025 the Bucs lose an important game for them but unimportant for the Dolphins. They lose 17-20. The key difference in the games is that against the 2025 Dolphins, the Bucs have a makeshift O-line and a pocket QB (injured) and, most importantly, NO RUN GAME. So the Bucs offense is entirely ONE DIMENSIONAL. Mayfield throws the ball 44 times
The 2026 Cowboys game the Bucs win 24-16 and the game is not on the QB at all (thankfully) because there is a healthy, successful offensive line and a great running game. The Bucs RUN the ball 39 times (almost as much as Mayfield threw in the 2025 Dolphins game.)
On the other side of the ball, the 2025 defense could NOT stop Miami short passing to TEs and RBs. In, 2026 the Cowboys do throw to the TE (2nd in targets) but they get almost nothing from it. Part pressure, part bad game by Cowboys TE, part defense of the TE. The WRs are the way the Cowboys attack the Bucs
Anyway, here is the side-by-side to back up the summary above
QB PLAY
2025 Dolphins - Mayfield 33/44 for 350 yards 75% completions. 2 TDs, 2 INTs sacked 3 times
2026 Cowboys - Daniels 19/25 for 189 yards 76% completions 1 TD, O INTS and sacked 1 time
RUN GAME
2025 Dolphins - Irving 9 carries for 19 yards 0TDs, average 2.1 YPC. Long of 12 yards. 16 Rushing plays
2026 Cowboys - Irving 21 carries for 165 yards, 2 TDS (one a reception), average 7.9 YPC long of 72. 39 rushing plays
In the 2025 Dolphins game Mayfield stays in the pocket, only 3 runs for 16 yards. In the 2026 Cowboys game Daniels runs 7 times for 23 yards
OFFENSIVE LINE
2025 Dolphins - Chuck, Jordan*, Barton, Feeney, Goedeke.  (*Jordan is out of football)
2026 Cowboys - Wirfs, Bredeson, Barton, Mauch, Goedke (the 2024 line?)
In the 2025 Dolphins game the Bucs cannot run the ball behind that O-line and they probably give up a lot of pressure even with a faster reading, more experienced Mayfield.
In the 2026 Cowboys game the O-line is intact. 2025 Miami not only has a bad run defense like the Cowboys they are out of it. The Cowboys very much in it. we run over the Cowboys, we cant run against the Dolphins.
DEFENSIVE TARGETS
Dolphins - the Bucs defense shuts down an injured Waddle but the top targets are TEs and RBs. They hit a bomb TD to WR but then its Gulcich and Arcane destroy them
Cowboys - there top targets are receivers They do go to Ferguson at TE but they get basically nothing from him
to boil it down simply......the offense was able to put up the elusive league average 23 points last night and they won the game
defense played decent in both games; would suggest they were great last night, holding a 30 PPG team to 16 points but played well enough in the Dolphins game to win. They gave up 20 points total, just 3 in the second half, and were able to ensure 3 baker turnovers only resulted in 7 points.Â
Baker turned the ball over twice in the 4th quarter that game and we had just 10 points scored with under 2 minutes to go, no time outs, and down 2 scores.
Our quarterback last night had zero turnovers. chalk that up as another reason in it's simplest form.
Maybe Daniels play will provide a competitive spark to Baker to get some of that 2024 play out of him when he returns next week. I am positively thinking it will!Â
