Jalon Daniels Believes His First Win Was Like A Dream
October 9th, 2026
Cool customer.
Last night was a night Jalon Daniels will never, ever forget.
On national TV (well, streaming). In his second start. Playing America’s Team. In Jerry’s World.
The NFL universe was watching.
And how did the rookie act? He was cool as a cucumber as the Bucs beat the Cowboys 24-16.
Daniels confessed he never dreamed his first NFL win would be anything like it was.
“Six months ago, if you would’ve told me that my first win would’ve been on a Thursday night, Prime football game, I don’t know what I would’ve told you,” Daniels said after the game. “So obviously take it all in, like I keep saying, through all the highs and lows, the bads and the goods, go through every single emotion because at the end of the day it makes you better and prepares you for any situation that comes down the line.”
Daniels was 8 for 8 in the first quarter but his masterpiece may have been the Bucs’ first possession. Daniels guided the Bucs on a 15-play, 73-yard drive that ate up almost 11 minutes, 10:58 to be exact.
Want to keep one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league off the scoreboard? Play keep away. So for over two-thirds of a quarter the Bucs held the ball. On one possession.
Beautiful.
That hadn’t happened since Jeff Garcia was Bucs quarterback back in November 2007. The eight first downs were the most on a touchdown drive since at least 2001.
The Bucs’ first drive was capped by Daniels throwing to Bucky Irving for a five-yard score to tie the game at 7-7.
Fun, fun game. Fun for Daniels. Fun for the Bucs. Fun for Bucs fans.
But was it too late?
October 9th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Joe, how about keionte Scott? He’s been playing at a very high level for a 4th round rookie
October 9th, 2026 at 9:02 am
👏👏👏👏👏👏
October 9th, 2026 at 9:05 am
813bucboi Says:
October 8th, 2026 at 8:18 am
i think we can get it done tonight but the key will be NO TURNOVERS and forcing at least 1…
limit explosive plays and just play good fundamental football….no pre snap penalties and no miss tackles….
run the ball at least 30times(bucky-12 carries, Tucker-12carries, kenny-8carries) to shorten the game
unfortunately, the staff hasnt shown they have the answers or the ability to make adjustments to fix this mess….
leave Zac in Dallas after the game if he cant score 24+ pts tonight
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 9th, 2026 at 9:10 am
the team is rallying behind this kid…..i think the city is too!!!!!
looking forward to him vs PITT
folks say baker plays well with a “chip” on his shoulder…..will one or 2 more wins by JD10 do it?…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
October 9th, 2026 at 9:12 am
It is a pretty awesome stage to get your first nfl win. Thank goodness he had a stud rb helping him last night. And a solid defense. But he didn’t fumble or throw ints unlike some high priced qb on our roster!
October 9th, 2026 at 9:16 am
Joe … ‘But was it too late?’
We’re only 5 games into the 2026 season so that’s not a question worth worrying about … yet. We’ve got the Steelers (2-2), Panthers (2-2), Falcons (2-2) and Bears (3-1) coming up before our BYE week. Thankfully we’ve now got 10 days to heal up prior to taking on the Steelers. And no more Thursday night games to worry about.
IF we play roughly as well as we played last night, I’m convinced that we can beat the Steelers, Panthers, and yes, the Falcons. The Bears interestingly are for real, and both their offense AND their defense is rated in the Top-10. Still, “On any given night, any NFL team can beat any other NFL team”.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:20 am
I keep smirking at the thought of the Bucs having the highest-paid backup quarterback in NFL history for years to come, at the tune of 50 mil per year or so…
October 9th, 2026 at 9:22 am
38-55(69.1%), 337 yards, 2TDs 3INTs in 2.08 games
Also, explosive plays made a slight return for our offense last night and not just runs.
That 3rd & 21 dot to Egbuka
14 yarder to Godwin on our first offensive drive.
That deep pass to Tez, that any other of our WRs catch that they likely run away and score.
We went 7-13 on 3rd down
Daniels & our OL have a tall task with Pittsburgh and that defensive front coming to town. Take these days off and come back ready to try and stack another win, even if we gotta cheat a little bit.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Do not lose sight of the fact that Todd did his best to lose while stumbling backwards into a victory.
The Cowboys went 99 yards to score a TD. Then almost had a pick 6 in the 4th quarter.
It could have easily gone the other way. And almost did.
Winning is great but sustaining that ability is something Todd is not capable of.
The Steelers will remind us all of that historical fact.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:26 am
What a legendary Bucs game.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:36 am
Good on him. Good story. This rare win is like the old days in the 70’s.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:38 am
Daniels will only get better with more games under his belt.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:41 am
We have the players with the ability to win. Should have beaten Minnesota and Cleveland. Bengals had fluke good luck recovering.all three turnovers. We had good luck last night when the sure pick six was dropped. Finally a really smart game plan.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Jalonsanity
October 9th, 2026 at 9:52 am
Maybe we can trade Baker for (3) first round picks?
He is so awesome – I’m sure another team will want all that “Moxy and grit” he brings to the table…
He has been the best fullback we have had since the “A-train” rolled into town!
HOOO-HOOOOO!!!!!
October 9th, 2026 at 9:53 am
@Joe
Godwin called the “Speakeasy” crew last night after the game to talk to Shady & Acho, might want to check it out.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:56 am
The most expensive building in football just hosted the cheapest therapy session Tampa Bay fans have enjoyed in months.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:57 am
i feel like some of these posters are
on opiates when they watch the games. tez basically came to a complete stop and was slowly backpedaling waiting for the daniels pass but any other wr would have scored on that play?. 3rd and 21 was from a clean pocket and noone was covering emeka . that was a peewee defense last
night. daniels is much better than trask as a backup great composure but last night was all about the running game and dallas penalties keeping drives alives and bad tackling. and chris godwin still cant get open by the way .
October 9th, 2026 at 10:06 am
“i feel like some of these posters are
on opiates when they watch the games. tez basically came to a complete stop and was slowly backpedaling waiting for the daniels pass but any other wr would have scored on that play”
His feet never stopped moving, your confusing having to adjust to the pass mid-stride to actually stopping all motion and he got run down by a saftey that was 10 yards to the left of him.
Try to keep up
October 9th, 2026 at 10:13 am
The offense should only improve from here on out. Remember the slow start the offense had in 2020 with Brady? The penalties should regress, too, with the new blocking scheme gaining more reps.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:18 am
Welcome to Bakers nightmare. And ours too.. by extension. Literally by extension.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Anybody notice how well the defense played even with Antoine Winfield Jr out?
I think he has not been playing well for a couple seasons and honestly if we get close to the trade deadline and we are no longer in contention for the playoffs we should trade him!
October 9th, 2026 at 10:20 am
congrats to jalon, his head is on straight in addition to his football skills. his positive mental attitude and self confidence will continue to deliver success in life if not just football.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:25 am
@ Cana
I agree.
If the Bucs lose another few games – there is a whole list of players I would like to see traded.
It would look like a fire sale if I were the HMFIC…
October 9th, 2026 at 10:32 am
BAKER NEEDS TO TRADE GAME CHECKS WITH DANIELS!
October 9th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Bucboi,
Can’t you just enjoy the win and enjoy Daniels success, as I am, without getting a dig in at Baker. Baker seems like he’s happy for the kid and happy that we won, why can’t you leave it at that?
October 9th, 2026 at 10:35 am
It’s never too late until it’s over
When we’re OFFICIALLY eliminated from the playoffs,
And we are a very, very long way from elimination
It’s definitely not too late
October 9th, 2026 at 10:36 am
Canabuc
Yep.. woke up this morning thinking the same thing. Also saw the secondary put some hits on people. Real hits.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:36 am
It’s just begun
Most beat downs are coming
October 9th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Happy for the Jalon he got the win. It’s what a backup is supposed to be able to do. Ger you a few games. He was lucky from what I am reading Dallas and the coaching lousy defense was as bad and worse then people thought they were., Also lucky Bowles didn’t give the game away. He should have kicked the FG. It’s a shameful they couldn’t pick up one yard on the goal line.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Going to be interesting to see what happens going forward. If this kid wins against the steelers and plays good and Baker comes back and struggles the Bucs might have a problem on their hands.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:40 am
I meant it just begun
And more beat downs are come
Courtesy of your future NFC South champions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
October 9th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Speaking as a Pennsylvania Buc fan and the wife of a Steeler fan, we watch Steelers football almost every Sunday locally. The Steelers are not as good as people think. Old man Rodgers is fading, the run game is sketchy, the defense struggles, and their WRs are not impressing anyone. So, it may be a better game than we think, if they play as good as the Cowboys game.
I still want to fire Bowels, regardless of wins.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:50 am
The Steelers are dog meat, they’re no problem
We’re looking at the Falcons and Carolina
October 9th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Bowles defense works
I saw not 1 but 2 ,3rd and 21’s converted by each team wow that must be a 1st in the NFL! ( By the way if i see another remark about 3rd and 28 im gonna jump through my phone and punch you in the mouth!) I thought they should have taken the 3 but the way they were running ! WHY NOT…..Bowles the guru will be round a little longer,sorry bout your luck!
October 9th, 2026 at 10:53 am
The game was fun, he stoood in the pocket often and delivered, looked under control. No sqquirting out the back, running in circles to either take a sack, fumble or throw a pic. He has potential!
October 9th, 2026 at 10:53 am
Long as this rookie is playing well they will not pull him. It just gives baker more time to heal and by the time he’s ready, and assuming the rookie is still playing well, the bucs will have to make some decisions. That said, if they got their groove and mojo going, they still won’t pull him, regardless.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:55 am
It was for us too, Jalen.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:56 am
3rd-21 #6, could not have converted it! JD10, should be the starting QB, moving forward! Let Go Bucs!! JD10 you played a Great Game!!! Trade #6 back to the Browns……
October 9th, 2026 at 11:00 am
“Old man Rodgers is fading, the run game is sketchy, the defense struggles, and their WRs are not impressing anyone. So, it may be a better game than we think, if they play as good as the Cowboys game.”
Agree and I think we match up well with Pittsburgh. We play mistake free ball in terms of turnovers on offense, we have a shot. Amazingly, our first win is also our first game of this season not giving the ball away and almost doesn’t count.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Great job young man
October 9th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Lakeland, I’ll be out front wearing all red and ready for pickup! Lol
Get on the train! Go Bucs!
October 9th, 2026 at 11:14 am
So almost doesn’t count if it’s the quarterback you favor but if it the one you don’t like it does. Just like you constantly say ” should have been”. It’s total BS.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Good to see what appears to be a nice dude have a successful game to build on early in his career. Wishing him the best going forward!
October 9th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Where are all the Bowles and Zak Robinson haters this AM? O line still suspect. One pretty day doesn’t make a Spring.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Really happy for this guy. I do believe he played a very composed game for a rookie, other than the few times he stayed in the pocket too long, as well as the almost-interception he nearly threw that could’ve changed the whole game at the end. That was almost disastrous, but none of that would’ve mattered if Bowles elects to take the FG.
Congrats, Jalon. We may have a QB controversy on our hands if he plays this way next week.
Absolutely loved the long, grinding drives that we put together. T.O.P. is what wins games, and last night, we controlled the tempo of that game. Go Bucs!
October 9th, 2026 at 11:50 am
“DBS Says:
October 9th, 2026 at 11:14 am
So almost doesn’t count if it’s the quarterback you favor but if it the one you don’t like it does. Just like you constantly say ” should have been”. It’s total BS.”
Cry some more, I favor whomever is playing a safe brand of ball. Check the game thread, literally said Daniels was late throwing that pass that was almost picked off. Throw that before Egbuka cuts to the boundary and it’s complete or incomplete. Him being late allowed Bland to get his paws on it. I’m looking forward to your next complaint.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Good for the kid. Nice to know that we have a capable backup. Gives Baker more time to heal.
October 9th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
We have ourselves a quality back up QB!!! Got a win with the help of 240 rushing yards , a good defensive effort and a good back up QB who didn’t turn the ball over and only threw 1 really bad pass all night . We got our Snoop Huntley! Pittsburg defense will be a step up in class ,, hopefully Baker is back but if not JD proved he can go 2-1 or 1-2 in a three game stretch ! Better job last night from Robinson and the OLine last night
October 9th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
If Daniels keeps winning, we can’t put Baker back in when he’s healthy. Baker is a losing at this point in time.
Daniels is a winner and looks like the real deal.
*Through 5 games and 3 preseason games, the absolute only times that the ZRob Bucs’ offense has ever looked good is when Daniels is at QB. That’s the truth. 💯
October 9th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
He was better than anyone had a right to expect.
He did have one Winstonesque throw that should have been a pick six.
Still he was good.
October 9th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Pittsburgh will not come easy
October 9th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Don’t fool yourself, Baker will be starting again once he’s healthy. Although Daniels played well, he just missed throwing a pick-6 and losing the game. Plus having the Dallas DB fall to the turf helped with the long pass completion (slightly under-thrown). Hope he has some more juice for upcoming game against the Steelers.
October 9th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
@ lightningVin
“We have ourselves a quality back up QB!!!”
I agree 100%.
He reminds me of Tyrod Taylor…
October 9th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Oscar
IM LOVIN JD10!!!!!!!
no shot at baker….you and others say he plays well with a chip….im sure this puts a chip on his shoulder….
we all want a healthy motivated baker when he returns….right?!?..lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
October 9th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
@ warrin
“Cry some more”
Why do you always feel the need to insult an belittle those who disagree with you?
Is it because you are full of sh!t?
October 9th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
The great: converting a 3rd and 21. When was the last time the Bucs converted a 3rd and 20+?
The not so great: Daniel’s threw a potential game tying certain pick six that the Dallas defender managed to botch. Yes, even the best QBs throw interceptions, but not in clutch time.
October 9th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
Defense Rules Says:
October 9th, 2026 at 9:16 am
IF we play roughly as well as we played last night, I’m convinced that we can beat the Steelers, Panthers, and yes, the Falcons.
____________________________________________
I’m convinced that we’ll need to play much, much, much better to win any more games.
• We still had 14 penalties, many of which were on offense yet again
• Bland dropped a would-be pick-6 in the 4th quarter
• Which came right after Dallas marched 99.5 yards for a TD with ease
• Our turnovers came off some lucky / flukey bounces and tips
This team is still below average and making way too many mistakes IMO
October 9th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Your right Marine , or as we used to call him back in the Buff, Ty-God Taylor !!! Got the Bills to a playoff game!
October 9th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
“Lakeland Says:
October 9th, 2026 at 10:50 am
The Steelers are dog meat, they’re no problem”
1-4 and any sense of humility is out the window.
October 9th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Just speaking in terms of this young man’s career, last night was huge. Forget all the silly stuff being said, NFL careers are mostly very short. By doing what he did last night in front of the entire country he guaranteed himself employment for at the very least the next three years.
That’s big because an NFL player needs three years to be vested for pension. And there’s no way he is going on any kind of practice squad now. Based off that performance alone, at the worst he is looking at a 5 year career as a clipboard holder. I think he’s better than that, but at an NFL salary it’s great work if you cam get it.
All in all, a great night for the guy.
October 9th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
I think as a thank you to this young man they should bump his contract up to a first round contract he deserves it.
October 9th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Can we pump the brakes on fitting Jalon for a gold jacket. Take away the 65 yard pass to tez on busted coverage and the 20 yard pass to Godwin when the Cowboys had everyone back for a Hail Mary and he threw for 100 yards. He also hit a cowboy between the numbers for what should have been a pick 6. Nice win against the worst pass defense and d/sp getting 3 turnovers. He won’t look better now the league has some tape on him.
October 9th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
I got faith in this kid, let Baker rott
October 9th, 2026 at 1:49 pm
Daniels messed up bad! He will now be seen as a threat to Bowels hand picked buddy ,Big bucks Baker , and now will probably be cut and Bowels will bring back Teddy Bridgewater!
October 9th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Baker will be back once he is healthy
October 9th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
The Big Sombrero…I concur.
October 9th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
You couldn’t write a better script for Daniels winning his first game on prime time Thursday Night in Dallas against Jerry Jones so called America” team. The all talk no show Jerry Jones Dallas Cowboys were humiliated by the struggling Bucs. Todd Bowles remained calm through all the drama and sent a strong message to all the naysayers that the Bucs can still win their division and make the playoffs again.
GO BUCS
October 9th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
That heart stopping near pick 6 that Jalon tossed was alot more the coaches fault than Jalon’s fault.
I’m still not ready to bury Bowles. But that decision to not kick was 100% boneheaded, end of discussion. I told my wife that the Cowboys were going 99 yards in 2 minutes. If she didn’t already know that I was smarter than the average bear, she would have been impressed.
8-8 passing, 11 minutes protecting the ball and blowing up the Cowboys momentum? A+. Down 10-7 at the break takes over the third quarter and wins that quarter 17-0? Wow. Just Wow.
Our team looked good last night. I think we’d have held them to 10 points if we’d have just taken that 27-10 lead. Why? Because our defense was put on the spot just like Jalon was put on the spot because of that incredibly bone headed decision not to take the 3 possession lead with 8 minutes to play.
But I do understand that the coach felt like putting a period at the end of that sentence. And everything turned out great. We have a long way to go. But I can see light.
October 9th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Bucboi, why the lol?, there was nothing laughable in your comment, only childish sarcasm. For the record , I’ve never used that “chip on the shoulder “ remark ever, period, whether it be about Baker or anyone else for that matter.
I hope that someone has the guts to save Baker from himself. Trying to play with an injured thumb that undoubtedly still needs more time to heal would be a mistake for him and the team. There is no need! If that defense continues to build on what we saw last night against a very good offense and quarterback, that alone will keep us in most games. Jalon played a very good game last night and if he continues to play with the discipline that he showed for almost the entire game, there is no need to rush Baker back. I’m happy that last throw didn’t end up a pick 6 because that may have messed with his confidence going forward, especially if the game had been lost. IMO, his only drawback at this point in his development is his ability as a passer. Those flick of the wrist throws that he makes is what affects his accuracy. It makes the ball either sail or die. Maybe they can coach him out of that. If they can, we may have a keeper, and not just as a backup. It would be wise for this team to see what they have in him going forward. If he keeps doing well and wins, I think you have to stick with him. Baker will be there in case he falters. One important thing to keep in mind is that neither the Packers or Cowboys have even fair defenses. Both Baker and Daniels have to understand the situation, Baker has to understand that if the team is winning, they can’t upset the apple cart and Jalon has to understand that if he falters or is struggling, that he might get pulled. In case they remain competitive in the division, that’s a strategy that can be employed so as not to sacrifice the season if possible. If he keeps winning, it’s not a bad problem for the Bucs, they’ll have some powder to wheel and deal with a team that needs a quarterback. At the end of the day, it’s winning that supersedes all, including individual feelings.
All that being said, All this batching and complaining about this organization directed at the Glasers, Licht, and even Todd Bowles, although perhaps it’s true that he’s achieved his ceiling, is shameful. How many NFL teams have won a Super Bowl, played in a championship game in another season and then in 3 out of the next four seasons made the playoffs, even though the only win in that time frame came in the 2023 season. How many???? Those that complain so much are spoiled brats and can’t control their need for instant gratification! The 2025 season can be explained by the injuries. The slow start this year is due to the loss of Mike Evans and another new OC on offense and 3 new rookie starters on defense plus 2 second year rookies at corner and another virtual rookie in David Walker at edge. That’s a lot to adjust to. And it’s not just the fans I’m talking about here, it’s also plenty of people in the media.
October 9th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
Oscar what are you talking about , Baker will play when he is cleared to play. There is no apple cart to upset . JD is the back up who plays if Baker can not and we hope for the best ! Hopefully the line shows up against the Steelers although 240 rushing yards probably is aiming a bit high
October 9th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Vinny, I’m talking about in the event that Daniels proves to be a heck of a lot better than anyone thought. We certainly don’t have enough evidence yet. It is known to have happened many times in the NFL. Tony Romo was injured in a preseason game against the Seahawks in 2016. A 4th round draft choice named Dak Prescott took over and the Cowboys started winning and never looked back and Romo retired after that season. That was a little different because Romo was close to the end of his career. And no, Daniels was not rated as highly coming out of college as Prescott but still, you never know. If I had to bet, I would say that Daniels will never be as good as Baker, but I could be wrong.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
I’d like to see more RPOs and naked bootlegs from Jalon. It was there all day long. Especially on the goal line. He was handing the ball off and faking a roll out and there was no one coving it. He could’ve walked in.