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After Jalon Daniels leads Bucs over Cowboys, NFL teams are 8-4 when starting a backup QB

Following an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night orchestrated by undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, NFL teams have compiled an 8-4 record across the 12 games started by reserve passers this season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned the win with Daniels stepping into the lineup for his second start in place of the injured Baker Mayfield.

Daniels delivered a surprisingly strong performance on Thursday night, finishing a perfect 8-for-8 through the air for 49 yards and one passing score. On the ground, the rookie added 11 rushing yards across two carries.

During the contest, Daniels orchestrated a methodical 15-play, 73-yard scoring march for Tampa Bay that drained 10:58 off the game clock. That possession concluded when Bucky Irving caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Daniels, leveling the score between the Buccaneers and the Cowboys at 7-7.

With the win against Dallas, the Buccaneers now stand at 1-1 in games started by Daniels. The positive result also added to a widespread pattern of success for second-string signal-callers across the league.

Multiple franchises hold undefeated records behind their reserves, with the New York Giants standing at 2-0 when starting Jameis Winston and the Chicago Bears posting an identical 2-0 record with Case Keenum leading the offense.

Single-game appearances by other replacements have yielded similar success. The Minnesota Vikings own a 1-0 record in the game started by Carson Wentz, while the Seattle Seahawks sit at 1-0 behind Drew Lock.

Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders have split their contests, holding a 1-1 record in games started by Marcus Mariota. The Atlanta Falcons account for two of the league's four defeats under substitute passers, having gone 0-2 with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush.

This report also draws on coverage from Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Lineups.

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