Arlington, Texas — In a pivotal defensive performance, Derek Barnett not only forced a fumble but also returned another for a touchdown, highlighting the Houston Texans’ dominant 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
Joe Mixon showcased his talents once again, rushing for three touchdowns and extending his scoring streak to six games since returning from an ankle injury. With this win, the Texans improved their record to 7-4, halting the second two-game losing streak of quarterback C.J. Stroud’s career and solidifying their two-game lead in the AFC South.
Houston took control in the second half after suffering a narrow 26-23 defeat to the Detroit Lions just a week prior, where they squandered a 23-7 halftime advantage despite intercepting Jared Goff five times. “It’s not as bad as it ever seems, and it’s never as good as it ever seems,” Stroud reflected. “We needed to secure a win, especially after leading at halftime. But we have to focus on what we can control moving forward.”
For the struggling Cowboys (3-7), the evening began ominously when debris fell from the stadium’s retractable roof during its opening, a prelude to their fifth consecutive loss. This defeat marked a stark contrast to the team’s previous playoff seasons, where they had lost only five games total.
Cooper Rush managed to throw a 64-yard touchdown pass to KaVontae Turpin, but he lost his second consecutive start in place of the injured Dak Prescott. This losing streak is the longest for Dallas since a seven-game skid in 2015, and the Cowboys now sit at 0-5 at home. According to Sportradar, they are the first team in NFL history to be down by at least 20 points in six straight home games, including last season’s wild-card playoff loss to Green Bay.
“Well, they better be frustrated,” said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. “We’re all frustrated. If they weren’t, then that would be a problem. We need to stay focused on what’s in front of us and tackle that head-on.”
The Texans extended their lead to 10 points early in the fourth quarter when Barnett disrupted Rush’s throw, resulting in a fumble. Rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton attempted to advance but was stripped of the ball by Jalen Pitre. Barnett recovered and scored on a 28-yard return, almost stepping out of bounds as he approached the end zone.
“That play really changed the game for us,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans noted. “It shifted the momentum and energized our sideline.”
Earlier in the game, Dallas appeared poised to narrow the gap with a 64-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey, but a penalty on Barnett for unsportsmanlike conduct nullified the points. Dallas then failed to capitalize on their best scoring opportunity in the second half when Rush’s fourth-down pass from the Houston 8-yard line fell incomplete.
“The defense played with elite energy,” Ryans commented. “We had one significant breakdown, which I’d like to have back, but overall, the guys performed really well.”
Texans wide receiver Nico Collins returned from a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury and nearly scored on his first touch, a 77-yard screen pass that was called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield. The Texans ultimately scored on a 45-yard run by Mixon, who added another touchdown with a 1-yard plunge to establish a 14-0 lead. He finished the game with 109 rushing yards and also contributed a 37-yard catch-and-run that set up a field goal.
“That first play showed what we could accomplish,” Ryans said. “Even with it being called back, I told the team we could score again.”
The Cowboys faced further adversity, losing tight end Jake Ferguson to a concussion, along with All-Pro right guard Zack Martin and left guard Tyler Smith to ankle injuries. Rush was sacked five times, with three occurring in a single possession when both guards were sidelined.
Stroud threw for 257 yards, avoiding major mistakes after an early fourth-down interception, marking his third game in five without a touchdown pass. In that stretch, he has recorded only two touchdowns against three interceptions. Rush completed 32 of 55 passes for 354 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Turpin led Dallas with three catches for 86 yards.
Injury Report:
Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who ranked fifth in the NFL with 7.5 sacks, was inactive due to an ankle injury. Cowboys defensive back Markquese Bell did not return after suffering a shoulder injury during a kickoff in the second quarter.
Next Up:
The Texans will play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at home.
