In a prime-time matchup that saw the Houston Texans take control early, the Dallas Cowboys were unable to muster a serious challenge, resulting in a decisive 34-10 win for the Texans. Despite some early excitement, the game was far from a thrilling spectacle for much of the night. Houston’s offense lacked the punch needed to close the game with confidence, but thanks to standout performances from Joe Mixon and a pivotal defensive play from Jalen Pitre and Derek Barnett, the Texans were able to secure their seventh win of the season.
Mixon’s Performance Powers Houston to Victory
While the offensive flow was less than spectacular for the Texans, it was Joe Mixon who was the undeniable star of the night. The running back showcased his talent, accumulating over 100 yards rushing and scoring three touchdowns, propelling Houston to victory. Without Mixon’s significant contributions, it’s safe to say the game would have lacked much excitement, especially considering the struggles of quarterback C.J. Stroud and the offense’s inability to consistently move the ball.
Stroud completed 23 of 34 passes for 257 yards but didn’t manage to throw a touchdown. The young QB also threw a costly interception in the red zone, underlining the ongoing issues with Houston’s offensive rhythm. Despite these struggles, the Texans’ 34-point total was enough to put the Cowboys away, with much of the credit going to Mixon’s powerful performance in the running game.
Dallas Struggles Without Prescott
After last week’s miserable showing in a blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys’ hopes were pinned on backup quarterback Cooper Rush. While Rush performed better in his second start, throwing for 354 yards and a touchdown, the team’s overall offensive struggles were evident. Dallas’s inability to establish a solid running game—combined with Rush’s need to throw the ball 55 times—created a one-dimensional offense that couldn’t break through Houston’s defense.
CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin did what they could, combining for 179 yards and a touchdown, but the Cowboys’ offense is far from threatening without Dak Prescott under center. Although Rush wasn’t entirely at fault, the lack of a balanced attack made it impossible for Dallas to compete effectively, especially with the Texans’ defense tightening up when it mattered most.
Texans’ Offensive Woes Still Present
Despite the victory, the Texans’ offense left much to be desired. Houston came out strong with an opening drive that resulted in a touchdown, but that early spark fizzled as the game went on. The Texans struggled on third down, converting just 3 of 11 attempts. Their hurry-up offense, especially in critical short-yardage situations, was puzzling at best. A particularly perplexing play came on a third-and-one attempt, when Houston opted for a sideline throw to Tank Dell, which failed miserably and left many questioning the decision-making.
While Mixon’s strong performance kept the offense moving, C.J. Stroud continues to face protection issues from his offensive line. Despite an overall solid completion rate, Stroud was once again forced into uncomfortable situations, which limited his ability to truly take control of the game. Unless these issues are addressed, it will be difficult for Houston to compete against tougher opponents in the future.
The Absence of Will Anderson Jr. Felt on Defense
Defensively, the Texans missed the presence of Will Anderson Jr., their star pass rusher and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Without Anderson, Houston struggled to generate consistent pressure on Cooper Rush early in the game. For the first two and a half quarters, the Texans were forced to rely heavily on coverage, hoping the front four would eventually break through.
Houston managed to record five sacks on the night, but it was clear that Anderson’s absence impacted their ability to disrupt the quarterback. Veteran players like Derek Barnett and Danielle Hunter stepped up in Anderson’s place, combining for three of the team’s five sacks. However, the pass rush’s overall pressure rate was just 26.2%, which could be problematic against more potent offenses.
Dallas Cowboys: A Team in Crisis
It’s hard to imagine a more difficult situation for the Cowboys at this point in the season. They’ve lost their starting quarterback, and with Rush at the helm, the offense has struggled to make any meaningful progress. Without a solid running game and with only a couple of reliable weapons (Lamb and Turpin), Dallas has become predictable and easy to defend.
Defensively, the Cowboys had no answer for the Texans’ offense, and even Micah Parsons’ return couldn’t spark a much-needed turnaround. With seven games remaining in the 2024 season, Dallas faces a grim outlook. The Cowboys have a record of trailing by at least 20 points in six straight home games, which underscores the downward spiral they’re facing. There’s a looming question in Dallas about whether coaching changes will be made in the coming weeks, but for now, the Cowboys’ immediate future looks bleak.
Next Gen Stats Insight from Texans-Cowboys
KaVontae Turpin’s 64-yard touchdown reception was the highlight of an otherwise dismal night for Dallas. The explosive play reached a top speed of 22.36 mph, marking the fastest speed by any ball carrier this season. This was also the fastest play by a Cowboys ball carrier since the introduction of the Next Gen Stats era in 2016, adding a brief moment of excitement to an otherwise disappointing game for the Cowboys.
NFL Research: Cowboys’ Historic Struggles at Home
With the 34-10 loss to the Texans, the Cowboys have now trailed by at least 20 points in six consecutive home games dating back to their Super Wild Card Weekend loss to the Green Bay Packers last season. This unfortunate streak has now set an NFL record, further adding to the growing concerns surrounding Dallas’ ability to perform on their home turf.
Final Thoughts
For the Texans, the win gives them much-needed momentum as they push forward in their bid for a playoff spot, but there are still plenty of kinks to work out. C.J. Stroud has shown flashes of brilliance, but the offense is far from perfect, and the lack of protection continues to be a pressing issue. Joe Mixon’s outstanding performance certainly helped, but the Texans will need to find more consistency if they’re to make noise beyond the AFC South.
For the Cowboys, this loss is another indication of just how far the team has fallen since the early promise of 2024. With Dak Prescott sidelined, the offense has struggled to put together any semblance of a threat. Even with a strong defense, the Cowboys are facing an uphill battle for the remainder of the season. With so many question marks surrounding the team, it’s hard to imagine things improving without significant changes, whether it be in player performance or coaching adjustments.