The Dallas Cowboys don’t have much time to enjoy their comeback victory over the Houston Texans.
After improving to 2-2 with a 34-30 road win Sunday, Dallas immediately turns its attention toward Thursday night’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The short week creates another challenge for a Cowboys team that has already dealt with a demanding stretch of travel and injuries.
Tampa Bay enters the matchup at 0-4, but Dallas can’t afford to overlook a team that has lost all four games by seven points or fewer. With that in mind, these are the four biggest storylines surrounding Thursday night’s game.
Can Tyler Smith make his season debut?
The Cowboys could receive a significant boost along the offensive line.
Dallas opened Tyler Smith’s 21-day practice window Monday, giving the All-Pro guard a chance to make his season debut against Tampa Bay. Smith has been on injured reserve after undergoing surgery on his thumb, but he hasn’t ruled out playing Thursday.
Smith’s potential return would give Dallas another proven piece up front after the offensive line has managed to hold its own through the first four games.
The timing isn’t ideal, though. Smith would have only a few days of practice before playing in a regular-season game, meaning the Cowboys will have to determine whether he is physically ready and comfortable enough to return.
If he is, Dallas could get one of its most important players back at a critical point in the season.
The Cowboys’ defense has got to start getting stops
Dallas’ offense has shown it can carry the team. The defense needs to start making life easier.
The Cowboys have allowed at least 20 points in every game this season, while three opponents have scored 30 or more. Dallas also remains without an interception through four games.
Injuries have played a role, particularly in the secondary, but the Cowboys can’t use health as the only explanation. The pass rush has also struggled to consistently affect opposing quarterbacks. Dallas recorded two sacks against Houston, its first two since Week 1.
That makes Thursday an important opportunity.
Tampa Bay will be starting rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels with Baker Mayfield sidelined by a thumb injury. The Cowboys need to make Daniels uncomfortable and force him to beat them rather than allowing Tampa’s offense to stay in the game.
CeeDee Lamb is giving defenses major problems
CeeDee Lamb enters Thursday night after arguably the best game of his career.
Lamb exploded against Houston with a franchise-record 17 receptions for 189 yards and the game-winning touchdown. More importantly, his production could be a direct result of how defenses are choosing to handle George Pickens.
If opponents continue rolling coverage toward Pickens, Dak Prescott has already shown that he will happily feed Lamb.
Through four games, Lamb leads the NFL in receptions, targets and receiving yards, according to the Cowboys. Pickens, meanwhile, has started to show signs of becoming a bigger part of the passing game, including a 53-yard reception against Houston.
That combination could become increasingly difficult for defenses to handle.
Dallas Can’t Afford to Overlook Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers are 0-4, but their record doesn’t tell the entire story.
Tampa Bay has lost each of its four games by seven points or fewer, including a 17-14 loss to Green Bay on Sunday. The Buccaneers are also dealing with injuries, including Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who has been ruled out.
Still, Dallas needs to approach this game as a serious test.
The Cowboys have upcoming games against Green Bay and Philadelphia, making Thursday an important opportunity to move above .500 before facing two difficult NFC opponents. A 3-2 record would give Dallas some momentum after a turbulent opening month.
The Cowboys finally learned how to finish a close game against Houston. Now they have to prove they can avoid a letdown four days later.
For Dallas, Thursday isn’t just another game. It’s a chance to build on Sunday’s comeback and show that the Cowboys are finally starting to find some consistency.
