DAL
Dallas Cowboys
77.4PFM Team Score#21 NFL
Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: PFM Team Comparison
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold a slight overall advantage over the Dallas Cowboys in the current PFM ratings. Tampa Bay separates itself through the stronger defense and the less uncertain coaching staff.
Current PFM Team Scores
Slight edgeTB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
78.4PFM Team Score#20 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Higher
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers own the stronger defense. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day. Dallas' strongest counterargument is Offense. The Dallas Cowboys have the more dependable offense. The unit has more ways to create points when a game forces the team away from its preferred approach.
Tampa Bay also brings the less uncertain coaching staff. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Dallas vs. Tampa Bay Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
DALDallas Cowboys
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Dallas Cowboys’ Best Argument
The Cowboys can create offense in more than one way. One bad matchup is less likely to shut down the entire scoring approach. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Tampa Bay still answers with the stronger defense and the less uncertain coaching staff, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DAL77.4
Dallas Cowboys 77.4TB78.4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 78.4Overall NFL Rank
DAL#21
Dallas Cowboys #21TB#20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #20QB Stability
DAL81.6
Dallas Cowboys 81.6TB80.2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 80.2Roster Strength
DAL78.7
Dallas Cowboys 78.7TB79.0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 79.0Coaching Direction
DAL73.7
Dallas Cowboys 73.7TB76.6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 76.6Recent Performance
DAL70.7
Dallas Cowboys 70.7TB76.7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 76.7Offense
DAL86.0
Dallas Cowboys 86.0TB80.8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 80.8Defense
DAL73.9
Dallas Cowboys 73.9TB78.1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 78.1Franchise Direction
DAL74.1
Dallas Cowboys 74.1TB74.8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 74.8Explosiveness
DAL80.4
Dallas Cowboys 80.4TB81.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 81.5Conference Rank
DAL#11
Dallas Cowboys #11TB#10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #10Division Rank
DAL#3
Dallas Cowboys #3TB#1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #1Outlook
DALIn the Playoff MixTBIn the Playoff Mix
Same outlookTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Dallas Cowboys
- Strongest Rating
- Offense
- Category Edge
- Offense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Defense
Dallas' clearest category edge is Offense. The offensive edge favors the Dallas Cowboys because the unit has the better week-to-week floor against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It can keep moving even when the first answer is taken away. The biggest problem in this matchup is Defense, where Tampa Bay owns the clearer advantage.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Strongest Rating
- Explosiveness
- Category Edge
- Defense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Offense
Tampa Bay's clearest category edge is Defense. Defense is one of the clearest reasons the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit higher against the Dallas Cowboys. The unit gives the offense more chances to recover from a bad drive. The biggest problem in this matchup is Offense, where Dallas owns the clearer advantage.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Dallas Cowboys
Full schedule rank: #12
Toughest stretch: Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers
View Dallas Cowboys Road AheadTampa Bay Buccaneers
Full schedule rank: #26
Toughest stretch: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Strongest opponents: Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers
View Tampa Bay Buccaneers Road AheadDallas has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 12. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers. Tampa Bay also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger defense and the less uncertain coaching staff.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated July 24, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.