Houston Texans running back David Montgomery is hauled down by Dallas Cowboys defenders during the second half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are near the end of a hectic two-week itinerary that included 10-hour flights to and from Rio de Janeiro, another trip to Houston and now a quick turn to finish off three games in 11 days.
After a visit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, there just might be a small sigh of relief from some of the Cowboys. Or not.
"It just depends on what people consider busy," edge rusher Rashan Gary said. "This is fun."
It's not December yet, either.
"It's still early in the season, going on Week 5," Gary said. "Right now, the team's been good, healthy. Me personally, healthy. It's still early in the season."
The Cowboys are set for a second consecutive game against a winless team with a recent history of either making the playoffs or contending for a postseason spot.
There is one significant difference.
The Buccaneers have an undrafted rookie quarterback making his second start in Jalon Daniels with Baker Mayfield sidelined by a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand after signing a $165 million, three-year extension before the season. Tampa Bay lost to Green Bay 17-14 in Daniels' debut.
Dak Prescott led the drive to his winning touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb in the final minute of a 34-30 victory over C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, perhaps taking the edge off the desperation for Dallas. This is where Prescott thinks the short week can actually help.
"You didn't even really go over the film that much with the coaches," Prescott said. "You turn the page, and you're on to the Bucs. And understanding we got a team coming in here winless, how desperate they're gonna be and it's the NFL and the parity of it."
Tampa Bay entered the season as the NFC South favorite, but now faces long odds to make the playoffs. The Bucs have lost 11 of 13 games since their 6-2 start last season.
The previous time Tampa Bay was winless this far into the season was 2013, when the Buccaneers started 0-8 and finished 4-12 before then-coach Greg Schiano was fired.
"I think it's a challenge every week -- it's more of a challenge if you're winning than it is if you're losing because you're desperate if you're losing," Coach Todd Bowles said. "If you're winning, you can get big-headed and off-balance. We know what we have to do to win, so we just have to do it."
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) celebrates after sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) during the second half an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) celebrates after sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) during the second half an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) lies in the end zone after he was sacked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) lies in the end zone after he was sacked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)