The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a horrific 0-4 start, and it doesn't get any easier for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, as they must face the music in front of the entire world when they battle the Dallas Cowboys in primetime on Thursday Night Football.
The Cowboys' offense is as capable as any in the NFL. Dak Prescott is shredding defenses with callous regard for their families, and the wide receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens is as advertised. But while the Cowboys have the NFL's leading receiver and are second in the league in points scored, they are still only 2-2.
And that's because as great as the Cowboys offense is and as much as it has fulfilled expectations so far in the 2026 NFL regular season with Prescott under center, the defense is horrendous. No team in the league is allowing more yards per completion than the Cowboys defensively, surrendering 8.0 yards per pass.
Buccaneers WR Tez Johnson could quietly have a breakout game vs. Cowboys
The Bucs' passing attack has been anemic, pathetic in fact, and whether it is Baker Mayfield or Jalon Daniels starting at quarterback, they just can't get anything going. But one way they can - and one player who has been showing a glimmer of hope - is by getting their underutilized playmaker Tez Johnson involved.
Every time he is out there, including going back to last season, Johnson is flashing big-play ability. He has deep speed, wiggles, and ball tracking ability. This is as close of a comp as the Buccaneers offense has to DeSean Jackson, and he is the player more than any other, especially with Jalen McMillan hurt and Emeka Egbuka struggling, who can make things happen vertically.
The Cowboys have been miserable in passing defense, ranking No. 24 in the NFL, allowing 240 yards through the air per game. Even the top players who are supposed to be key, such as DaRon Bland, are getting picked apart mercilessly with two touchdowns allowed, a QBR allowed near 130, and 15 receptions allowed on 21 targets.
It's no wonder Dallas traded for Steelers star cornerback Joey Porter Jr., but he'll primarily be matched up against Chris Godwin Jr. and Egbuka, giving Johnson favorable matchups against the Cowboys' weaker defensive backs.
Johnson has only been targeted nine times this season by the Bucs for four receptions, but he has turned them into 79 yards for a team high 18.5 yards per reception, which yields a team high 8.2 yards per target. This is an explosive player who needs the ball in his hands, especially against the Cowboys leaky defensive backfield.
If Zac Robinson dials him up and gives him the opportunity, Johnson can be the one to hit a couple of home runs and help win this football game for Tampa Bay.
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