Game Recap: Depleted Cowboys lose, 34-10

So it continues. The same struggles that have plagued the Dallas Cowboys all season led to a 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans in a prime-time Monday night showdown. In dropping their fifth home game of the season – all by double-digit deficits – the Cowboys were hard-pressed to put points on the board, were hampered by penalties and turnovers, and had difficulties stopping the run.

And unfortunately, a team already decimated by injuries just got more bad news on that front. Starting cornerback Jourdan Lewis had already been ruled out of the game on Saturday, the latest blow to the Dallas defense. But then late in the first quarter, tight end Jake Ferguson left with a concussion with safety Markquese Bell heading to the sideline early in the second quarter with a shoulder Injury.

Then the fourth quarter proved disastrous for the team's offensive line. First left tackle Tyler Guyton didn't return after banging up his shoulder, and then Zack Martin, who has been battling a number of injuries all season, left the game. Finally, left guard Tyler Smith had his left ankle rolled up on, his night done as well.

While Cooper Rush's second start of the season was perhaps slightly better than his first, his numbers didn't exactly jump off the page. Sacked five times, the quarterback threw for 354 yards with a touchdown and an interception for a 75.9 passer rating. Eleven different receivers caught passes with CeeDee Lamb the top target. He totaled eight receptions for 93 yards.

Dallas tried to establish a ground game, but didn't have much success. Although they handed the ball to Rico Dowdle 10 times when the game was still close, the running back only averaged 2.8 yards per carry. As a team, the Cowboys posted a 3.6 mark.

Conversely, the Texans were able to chew up 5.6 yards per carry in their running attack. Joe Mixon led the charge with 109 yards and three touchdowns while quarterback C.J. Stroud had three scrambles for 26 yards, an 8.7 average.

Stroud was effective through the air as well. Last season's Rookie of the Year was only sacked once while completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 257 yards with one interception for a 77.7 rating.

Overall, the team stats were close with Houston outgaining Dallas 391 to 388. Both sides converted 33 percent of their third-down chances and each had nine penalties. The Texans narrowly won the time of possession, 30:37 to 29:23.

First Quarter

On the first snap of the game, Nico Collins took a screen pass 77 yards for what would have been a Texans touchdown. Thankfully, Houston was called for a penalty, negating the score. Of course, six plays later, the Texans were in the end zone for real. Mixon took a handoff up the middle and scampered 45 yards and a quick 7-0 lead.

And that lead looked like it would soon grow when the Cowboys decided to try a fake punt on fourth-and-9 at their own 33-yard line. Punter Bryan Anger completed his pass attempt to Juanyeh Thomas, but he was tackled well short of the markers.

The Dallas defense shut down any scoring attempt, though, when on fourth-and-3 at the Cowboys' 30-yard line, safety Malik Hooker picked off a Stroud pass. Despite being given a gift, Rush gave one away himself on the ensuing Dallas series, Texans cornerback Derek Stingley recording the interception to put the visitors back in business.

This time, the Cowboys couldn't deny Houston the end zone. The drive took 10 plays, but the Texans picked up the needed 63 yards. Mixon got his second score of the night with a race to the right pylon from 1 yard out.

Second Quarter

And then lightning struck. On the first snap of the second quarter, KaVontae Turpin made a great move at the line of scrimmage, took a Rush pass in stride across the middle and then turned on the jets to streak untouched to the goal line for a 64-yard touchdown. With that, the deficit was cut in half, 14-7.

The two sides then traded field goals, the Cowboys staying within striking distance. Houston first traveled 77 yards in 9 plays, but eventually had to settle for a 33-yard field goal. That was immediately followed by Brandon Aubrey splitting the uprights from 53-yards out, wrapping up an eight-play, 35-yard possession for Dallas. With his boot, Aubrey set a new team record, the first to hit 20 fields goals of at least 50 yards.

Aubrey then had a chance to cut the disadvantage to just four, but when he attempted a 40-yard field goal with 59 seconds left, his plant foot slipped. That caused his kick to sail right and carom off the goal post, no good. Dallas would go into the half down 17-10, but clearly owning some momentum.

Third Quarter

The third quarter has been a nightmare for the Cowboys this season, the team coming into this game having been outscored 82-22 in the frame. The doldrums continued.

Dallas got the ball to start the half and quickly went three-and-out, which was followed by the Texans coming right back and kicking a 29-yard field goal to up their lead to 20-10. The Cowboys then appeared to get a 64-yard field goal from Aubrey, but when Houston was called for a penalty, Dallas took the first down and continued its march.

In doing so, the Cowboys did manage to reach the Texans' 8-yard line, where head coach Mike McCarthy decided to go for it on fourth-and-2. When Rush's pass then fell incomplete, the offense left the field empty-handed.

Fourth Quarter

And then the wheels fell off. On second-and-6 at his own 40-yard line, Rush dropped back to pass, only to have the ball stripped from his hand. The fumble then bounced off the back of a lineman and into the arms of left tackle Tyler Guyton, who corralled the prize and tried to gain whatever yardage he could. Instead, he was hit and fumbled himself with Houston defensive end Derek Barnett scooping the ball up and rumbling 28 yards for the touchdown.

With that, the game was essentially over.

The Texans got into the end zone one more time. Dallas had no choice but to go for it on fourth-and-16 at its own 40-yard line, only to see Rush sacked for a 6-yard loss. Set up at the Cowboys' 35-yard line, Houston needed six plays to cross the goal line, Mixon rushing it in from the 1 for his third score of the night.