ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — In a pivotal defensive moment for the Houston Texans, Derek Barnett forced a crucial fumble and returned another for a touchdown, solidifying their dominance over the Dallas Cowboys in a 34-10 victory on Monday night. Joe Mixon had a standout performance, scoring three touchdowns, while C.J. Stroud relied on his teammates to help extend the Cowboys’ struggles.
Mixon’s impressive run marked his sixth consecutive game with a touchdown since returning from an ankle injury. His remarkable 45-yard sprint up the middle opened the scoring for the Texans, followed by a 1-yard touchdown run, illustrating Houston’s offensive capability. Despite a touchdown run being called back earlier in the game due to an ineligible receiver penalty, the Texans maintained their offensive momentum.
Houston (7-4) managed to end only the second two-game losing streak in Stroud’s two-season career, preserving a two-game lead in the AFC South. The Texans regained their footing after last week’s disappointing loss to Detroit, where they squandered a 23-7 halftime advantage and lost after 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 remarked following the recent win.
In contrast, the Cowboys (3-7) find themselves in a dismal situation, suffering their longest losing streak since 2015. They fell to 0-5 at home, with historical context suggesting they are the first team in NFL history to be down by at least 20 points in six consecutive home games, including last season’s playoff loss to Green Bay.
A strange pre-game incident involved debris falling from the stadium’s retractable roof, further foreshadowing the Cowboys’ rough night on the field. Cooper Rush did deliver an impressive 64-yard touchdown pass to KaVontae Turpin, but he ultimately lost his second game as a starter since Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury.
Coach Mike McCarthy expressed his team’s frustration, emphasizing the need for honesty and focus as they move forward. “They better be frustrated,” he said, explaining that it’s critical for the team to confront their challenges and stay attuned to their performance.
The turning point of the game came early in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys were trailing by 10. Barnett disrupted Rush’s throw, resulting in a sequence where Dallas rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton caught the ball but was promptly stripped by Jalen Pitre. Barnett capitalized on the chaos, scooping it up for a touchdown. “The play he made really changed the game for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans remarked, highlighting the shift in momentum.
Defensively, the Texans displayed elite energy, giving up only one significant play against them. Despite some setbacks, such as the injury to standout defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and missed rookie opportunities, they executed their strategy well and kept the Cowboys at bay.
Dallas experienced additional losses in the game, with tight end Jake Ferguson leaving the game due to a concussion and both right guard Zack Martin and left guard Tyler Smith sidelined with ankle injuries. Rush faced a relentless Texans defense, being sacked five times, three of which occurred on the same drive following the injuries to his offensive linemen.
Stroud showcased resilience, throwing for 257 yards and avoiding mistakes after an early interception. He has experienced a mini-slump recently, with only two touchdown passes and three interceptions in his last five games. Meanwhile, Rush completed 32 of 55 passes for 354 yards, including one touchdown and one interception, with Turpin catching three passes for 86 yards.
Injuries
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr., who was tied for fifth in the NFL with 7.5 sacks, sat out due to an ankle injury. Cowboys DB Markquese Bell did not return after suffering a shoulder injury during a kickoff in the second quarter.
Up next
Texans: They will host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Cowboys: They will face the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
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