DALLAS, TX (SNN-TV) – For the second season in a row, Tampa Bay opened its schedule with a prime-time win over the Cowboys, but this one was stylistically very different than last year.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys by a final score of 19-3 in Week 1 on Sunday Night Football, earning Todd Bowles his first win as head coach in Tampa Bay.
The Bucs defense dominated against the highest-scoring team from a year ago, limiting the Cowboys to 244 yards and 12 first downs and not allowing a point after an opening-drive field goal. Leonard Fournette led the team in scrimmage yards, taking a Bucs best 21 carries for 127 yards, while adding 10 receiving yards on two catches. It marked the fourth 100-yard rushing game for Fournette with Tampa Bay and the 12th of his NFL career.
Despite the win, first-half injuries to left tackle Donovan Smith and wide receiver Chris Godwin may prove crucial moving forward. Godwin was knocked out just before halftime by a hamstring injury. Smith was lost earlier in the second quarter to an elbow injury, leaving Josh Wells to finish the game at left tackle.
Up next for Tampa, they’re on the road again in Week 2 taking on NFC South rival, the New Orleans Saints.