4 days Ago
ARLINGTON - There’s a generic path to pulling off a heavy upset at the NFL level. It starts with getting a bunch of good luck and generally asks the defense and run game to hold the opposing quarterback to as few possessions as possible. The Dallas Cowboys , without starting quarterback Dak Prescott, attempted to do that on Monday night against the Houston Texans, hoping to give the AT&T Stadium fans something to boast about at the water cooler the rest of the week.
However, a competitive first half unraveled with the help of self-inflicted wounds and Dallas lost in ugly fashion, 34-10. © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images The Cowboys managed to keep things close through two quarters, entering halftime at 17-10. But after a three-and-out on the opening possession of the second half, the Texans were able to jump out to a two-possession lead.
With backup quarterback Cooper Rush asked to carry an increasingly heavy load and the game script sliding in their opponent’s favor, things got messy quickly. ..
. maybe forcing the organization to seriously consider a favorable spot in the 2025 NFL Draft via “Organic Tanking.” For now? The Cowboys are stuck with “signature” plays all gone wrong.
Late in the third quarter, Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey nailed a 64-yard field goal that was taken off the board because of an unnecessary roughness penalty on Houston. Granted a first down and 15 yards, the drive had new life but ended in a failed fourth-down conversion. The missed opportunity defined the Cowboys’ night.
After forcing a stop, Dallas got the ball back early in the fourth quarter before disaster struck. On second-and-six, Rush was sacked by edge rusher Derek Barnett – the same defender whose penalty erased Aubrey’s field goal. Barnett forced a fumble on Rush, which was recovered by left tackle Tyler Guyton.
Things immediately got worse, as Guyton fumbled, Barnett recovered, and 28 yards later scored a touchdown. Guyton suffered a shoulder injury on the fateful play and was initially ruled questionable to return. Right guard Zack Martin soon joined him on the sideline.
(Tyler Smith was lost soon after.) Needless to say, the three-possession lead turned off televisions across the country. The two teams traded punts into the fourth quarter, giving Rush a chance to hold off backup Trey Lance for a few more snaps.
Martin and guard Tyler Smith both went down on the ensuing drive, although Rush was able to rip off a couple nice completions. Related: Tee Higgins Linked To Cowboys in $100M Free Agency Shopping Spree Rush was sacked on back-to-back plays to end the drive, putting Houston in prime position to run up the score. Between scuffles, Houston mercifully ran much of the remaining clock out, tacking on a final formality score -- an inevitability given the short field.
Dallas was them tasked with finishing the job, quietly bringing Week 11 to a close. Ultimately, Monday's loss was a harsh reminder that the Cowboys are operating with a distinct talent disadvantage. That demands perfection for the B-team, and Dallas simply couldn't exceed expectations for a full four quarters.
The Cowboys fell to 3-7 with the loss. ..
. and again now must begin to consider the benefits of more falling. Related: Cowboys vs.
Giants Predicted to Be Thanksgiving Tanking.
