The Texans never trailed while handing the Cowboys their fifth consecutive loss, winning decisively with a score of 34-10 on Monday night. Joe Mixon stood out with three rushing touchdowns, while Derek Barnett made a significant impact by returning a fumble 28 yards for another score.
With this victory, the Texans improved to a 7-4 record, halting just the second two-game losing streak in quarterback C.J. Stroud’s career and maintaining a two-game lead in the AFC South. Their performance showcased a strong team effort that left the Cowboys struggling.
The Cowboys, now at 3-7, faced a series of unfortunate events, including debris falling from their stadium’s retractable roof just hours before kickoff. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, but it set a gloomy tone for a team that has now experienced five straight defeats, a stark contrast to their previous playoff seasons.
Cooper Rush, stepping in for the injured Dak Prescott, threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to KaVontae Turpin but could not secure a win in his second start. The Cowboys’ current losing streak is their longest since a seven-game stretch in 2015.
As the game progressed, the Cowboys found themselves down by 10 points early in the fourth quarter. Barnett’s pivotal play came when he knocked the ball out of Rush’s hand during a throw, leading to a chaotic moment that resulted in a touchdown for the Texans. This play exemplified the struggles the Cowboys faced throughout the game.
Earlier in the game, the Cowboys seemed to close the gap with a 64-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey, but a penalty against Barnett negated the points. Despite their efforts, Rush’s fourth-down pass from the Texans’ 8-yard line fell incomplete, highlighting the challenges the Cowboys encountered in execution.
Texans receiver Nico Collins made an impressive return after missing five games due to a hamstring injury, catching a screen pass and sprinting 77 yards for what would have been a touchdown, only for it to be called back due to an ineligible receiver penalty. However, Mixon quickly made up for it with a 45-yard touchdown run, further extending the Texans’ lead.
Mixon’s performance was stellar, as he finished with 109 rushing yards and contributed to a field goal with a 37-yard catch-and-run. The Cowboys, already without Prescott, faced additional setbacks with tight end Jake Ferguson suffering a concussion and key offensive linemen Zack Martin and Tyler Smith sidelined with ankle injuries. Rush was sacked five times, exacerbating the team’s struggles.
Stroud, despite being in a minor slump, managed to throw for 257 yards with one interception early in the game. Rush completed 32 of 55 passes for 354 yards, including one touchdown and one interception, while Turpin recorded three catches for 86 yards.
Injuries
Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who was tied for fifth in the NFL with 7.5 sacks, did not play due to an ankle injury. Cowboys defensive back Markquese Bell also left the game after injuring his shoulder during a kickoff.
Up next
The Texans will host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, while the Cowboys will travel to face the Washington Commanders on the same day.
