Cowboys’ Player Grades Reveal Struggles in Week 5 loss to Buccaneers

The Dallas Cowboys’ 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers exposed several problems that need to be addressed before their next game. While Dallas had a few players deliver strong individual performances, defensive struggles and missed opportunities contributed to another frustrating result.

According to Pro Football Focus grades reported by Sports Illustrated, wide receiver George Pickens and rookie edge rusher Malachi Lawrence were among the Cowboys who stood out. However, cornerback DaRon Bland and several other defenders had difficult outings as Dallas fell to 2-3.

Pickens was one of Dallas’ most productive players against Tampa Bay, finishing with nine receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. His performance earned an 85.2 PFF grade, second-highest among Cowboys players in the report.

With CeeDee Lamb leaving the game because of a quad injury, Pickens essential became the No. 1 target for the Cowboys offense. He consistently gave Dak Prescott a target, although his production ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome the team’s mistakes.

Tight end Luke Schoonmaker received the highest grade among Dallas players at 89.6, but he played only five snaps. Safety Markquese Bell earned an 81.2, while Malik Hooker received a 75.9.

Lawrence also made the most of his opportunity. The rookie recorded his first career sack and earned a 74.4 grade, offering a positive sign for a defensive line that struggled to slow Tampa Bay’s offense.

Despite those individual performances, the Cowboys surrendered 419 total yards. Running back Bucky Irving ran for 165 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Buccaneers repeatedly took advantage of Dallas’ defensive breakdowns.

Bland had a particularly difficult night, receiving a 29.6 PFF grade, the lowest among Cowboys players listed in the report.

He allowed three receptions for 91 yards on five targets across 31 coverage snaps. Bland also missed a crucial opportunity to intercept rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels late in the game. Securing that pass could have given Dallas another chance to rally.

Cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. also struggled, earning a 36.9 grade. Defensive tackle Elijah Garcia received a 33.5, while defensive tackle Kenny Clark earned a 41.7. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford rounded out the five lowest-graded players with a 40.1.

The defensive grades reflect a unit that struggled to make critical stops. Dallas missed tackles, allowed explosive plays and failed to consistently disrupt Tampa Bay’s offense. Irving’s 72-yard run to open the second half was one of the clearest examples of those problems.

The Cowboys also missed an opportunity to create turnovers, allowing Tampa Bay to maintain control despite Dallas’ efforts to rally late.

Dallas will have additional time to review the film before facing the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 18. The loss showed that while the Cowboys have players capable of producing at a high level, they need more consistent execution across the roster.

Pickens’ receiving production and Lawrence’s pass-rushing effort were encouraging, but the defensive breakdowns proved costly. At 2-3, Dallas needs to turn those individual positives into a stronger team performance if it hopes to regain momentum.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!