Slight edgeTB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
78.4PFM Team Score#20 NFL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Tampa Bay Buccaneers higher than the Dallas Cowboys overall, with a slight advantage. The main reasons are the stronger defense and the less uncertain coaching staff.
Current PFM Team Scores
DAL
Dallas Cowboys
77.4PFM Team Score#21 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Higher
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the more dependable defense. It does not need the offense to answer every possession to keep control of a game. Dallas' strongest counterargument is Offense. The Cowboys can create offense in more than one way. One bad matchup is less likely to shut down the entire scoring approach.
Tampa Bay also brings the less uncertain coaching staff. That is enough to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Tampa Bay vs. Dallas 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.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
DALDallas Cowboys
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Dallas Cowboys’ Best Argument
The offensive edge favors the Dallas Cowboys because the unit has the better week-to-week floor. It can keep moving even when the first answer is taken away. The offense advantage is a real point in Dallas' favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Dallas is that Tampa Bay counters with the stronger defense and the less uncertain coaching staff.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
TB78.4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 78.4DAL77.4
Dallas Cowboys 77.4Overall NFL Rank
TB#20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #20DAL#21
Dallas Cowboys #21QB Stability
TB80.2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 80.2DAL81.6
Dallas Cowboys 81.6Roster Strength
TB79.0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 79.0DAL78.7
Dallas Cowboys 78.7Coaching Direction
TB76.6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 76.6DAL73.7
Dallas Cowboys 73.7Recent Performance
TB76.7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 76.7DAL70.7
Dallas Cowboys 70.7Offense
TB80.8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 80.8DAL86.0
Dallas Cowboys 86.0Defense
TB78.1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 78.1DAL73.9
Dallas Cowboys 73.9Franchise Direction
TB74.8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 74.8DAL74.1
Dallas Cowboys 74.1Explosiveness
TB81.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 81.5DAL80.4
Dallas Cowboys 80.4Conference Rank
TB#10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #10DAL#11
Dallas Cowboys #11Division Rank
TB#1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #1DAL#3
Dallas Cowboys #3Outlook
TBIn the Playoff MixDALIn the Playoff Mix
Same outlookTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Strongest Rating
- Explosiveness
- Category Edge
- Defense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Offense
Tampa Bay's clearest category edge is Defense. The Buccaneers can lean on their defense more than the Cowboys can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team. The biggest problem in this matchup is Offense, where Dallas owns the clearer advantage.
Dallas Cowboys
- Strongest Rating
- Offense
- Category Edge
- Offense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Defense
Dallas' clearest category edge is Offense. The Dallas Cowboys bring the broader offense. The unit has more answers than Tampa Bay when the opening approach stalls. The biggest problem in this matchup is Defense, where Tampa Bay owns the clearer advantage.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Tampa 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 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 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.