Houston Texans pull away to hand Dallas Cowboys fifth straight loss
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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys on November 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Jerome Miron/AP
The Houston Texans handed the Dallas Cowboys their fifth consecutive loss with a dominant 34-10 victory on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. The win not only snapped the Texans’ two-game losing streak but also solidified their position at the top of the AFC South with a 7-4 record.
Joe Mixon had a standout performance for Houston, rushing for 109 yards and scoring three touchdowns. His third touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed the game, while Derek Barnett contributed a critical play by scoring on a fumble return, marking Houston’s first defensive touchdown of the season.
The game was a tale of two halves. After an explosive first quarter, where the Texans jumped out to a two-touchdown lead, their offense slowed down. Despite this, the defense, led by Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr., kept the pressure on Dallas. Pitre finished with a team-high nine tackles, while Stingley recorded an interception and nearly had a couple more.
Dallas, struggling with penalties and injuries, never managed to recover after falling behind in the second half. Despite kicker Brandon Aubrey’s 64-yard field goal in the third quarter that made it a 20-10 game, the Cowboys couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. A penalty on Barnett for a head slap extended a drive for Dallas, but backup quarterback Cooper Rush, filling in for the injured Dak Prescott, couldn’t make the most of the fresh set of downs. Rush, who threw for 354 yards and a touchdown, also threw an interception and struggled with turnovers throughout the game.
The pivotal moment came early in the fourth quarter when Barnett redeemed himself for his earlier penalty by causing a fumble. He hit Rush’s arm as he attempted a pass, forcing the ball loose. While Tyler Guyton initially recovered the fumble for Dallas, he was quickly stripped of the ball by Pitre. Barnett scooped up the loose ball and ran it in for the Texans’ first defensive touchdown of the season, extending the lead to 27-10 with just over 12 minutes left to play.
“We just played four quarters, we didn’t change nothing,” said Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. “We learned from the games we lost and that’s what we did tonight.” Stroud, who has been a key part of Houston’s success this season, remained calm under pressure and managed the game effectively.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Barnett’s game-changing play, calling it the “turning point” of the game. “It flipped the momentum, got everyone juiced up,” Ryans said. The Texans’ defense, which tallied five sacks, shut out the Cowboys in the second half and provided the team with a much-needed bounce-back performance after their recent struggles.
The Cowboys’ night was further marred by injuries, as key players like All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, left guard Tyler Smith, and tight end Jake Ferguson left the game due to ankle injuries and a concussion. Safety Markquese Bell also suffered a shoulder injury, adding to the growing list of problems for Dallas.
The loss, which dropped Dallas to a dismal 3-7 record, extended their skid to five games — their longest losing streak since 2015. “It’s frustrating for everybody — players, coaches, and fans,” said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. “We’re not executing well enough to overcome mistakes at critical times.” Owner Jerry Jones echoed McCarthy’s sentiments, emphasizing that the team just isn’t playing well, despite the home losses.
Dallas has now trailed by at least 20 points in six straight home games, an NFL record that underscores their struggles. With the defeat, the Cowboys remain in third place in the NFC East and their playoff hopes are growing increasingly slim.
As for the Texans, they will look to build on this victory when they face the Tennessee Titans next week. With key players like Mixon, Stroud, and a stout defense leading the charge, Houston will aim to continue their momentum and strengthen their playoff positioning.
In other news from the game, a piece of sheet metal fell from the ceiling of AT&T Stadium ahead of kickoff, creating a brief delay. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The roof was kept closed for the duration of the game while officials inspected the situation and ensured the safety of everyone in the stadium.
With the Texans looking strong and Dallas struggling, the path forward for both teams remains uncertain. Houston, however, will take confidence into the final stretch of the season as they aim for a postseason berth.
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