NFL: Buccaneers vs. Cowboys first game of the season

TAMPA, Fla. –Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes and for 379-yard aerial gains, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Dallas Cowboys 31-29 on Thursday night in the NFL season kickoff

As the bleachers filled for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryan Succop gave the Buccaneers victory when he landed a precision punt from 36 yards while failing to only two seconds remained.

Brady set the table for the winning field goal with a productive attacking streak in the last minute of play.

The Buccaneers were reunited with their fans and the stadium where they won the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs seven months ago.

For Brady, who owns seven Super Bowl rings, it was a 300th start of the season, setting a record for a quarterback. The 44-year-old Brady also joined Drew Brees as the only players to pass over 300 passing yards on 100 occasions.

Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown caught a touchdown pass in the first half for the team from Tampa Bay, which posted a ninth consecutive victory going back to December.

Brady’s second touchdown pass to Gronkowski gave the Buccaneers a 28-19 lead. Succop’s winning field goal came moments after the Cowboys took the lead thanks to a 48-yard goal kick from Greg Zuerlein.

Dak Prescott completed 42 of his 58 passes for overhead gains of 403 yards. He threw three touchdown passes and one interception.

Prescott was in his first game since sustaining a serious ankle injury in Game 5 of the 2020 season. He had not made the preseason games due to a strained right shoulder.