The team with a 1-10-1 record came close to bringing down one of the NFC favorites.
Dallas Cowboys (10-3) – Houston Texans (1-11-1): 27-23
To believe that the Cowboys absolutely wanted to be scared in this meeting. Faced with the Texans, Dallas has long believed in defeat. It took a heroic defense during a fourth attempt on their 3-yard line less than 2 minutes 30 from the end to give the attack a chance to get back in front (20-23). An offensive squad and a Dak Prescott (24/39, 284 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs) who finally woke up in this last drive with 98 yards gained to finally register the winning touchdown 41 seconds from the end (27 -23)
A tight score that does not correspond to the image we had of this meeting. It is indeed difficult to make a more unbalanced opposition on paper. On the one hand Houston arrived in Dallas with the worst record in the league and only one victory this season. On the other, the Cowboys were hot on the heels of the Eagles and were among the best teams in the NFC. But since the NFL always has bigger surprises in store for us, nothing happened the way Mike McCarthy (and all of us) had imagined. Fortunately his men showed themselves determined to avoid a defeat which would have been a stain.
The Jeff Driskel Surprise
However, the game starts perfectly for the locals. A nice offensive drive and a “three and out” caused by the defense, Dallas is already in control. Tony Pollard (10 races, 42 yards and 1 TD + 4 receptions, 20 yards and 1 TD) opened the scoring with a run from 11 yards (7-0) and we think the Cowboys will have a quiet evening. That’s not counting the resilience of the Texans and the little surprise Jeff Driskel (4/6, 38 yards and 1 TD + 7 races and 36 yards). The substitute quarterback, activated during the week, gives this defense a hard time, despite several reading errors.
Above all, the loss of balls weighs down the Cowboys. In the first period, they are numerous. First there is a poorly controlled punt by KaVontae Turpin which falls into the hands of the Texans. Dak Prescott will then throw his first interception of the game, before the Cowboys are stopped on a 4th attempt just one yard from the opposing line. So many errors that allow visitors to score points. Houston will simply score 20 in the first period, thanks in particular to two touchdowns. The first on the ground on a one-yard run from Dameon Pierce (22 runs, 78 yards and 1 TD), the second on a 28-yard pass from Jeff Driskel to Amari Rodgers (4 receptions, 57 yards and 1 TD). All punctuated by two kicks from Ka’imi Fairbairn from 43 and 50 yards, helped by the good game from Chris Moore (10 receptions for 124 yards).
Dak Prescott finally pulls out all the stops
Fortunately for Dallas, despite a Dak Prescott in difficulty and these famous turnovers, the Cowboys still manage to stay in touch. Tony Pollard doubled the receiving end this time and Brett Maher kept his team within range at halftime (17-20). The second period will be much less prolific. Houston thwarts on offense and only adds a field goal from 54 yards in the last 30 minutes. However, we will think for a long time that this will be enough to win. Dak Prescott launches a new interception in his own 20 yards and the attack fails to be dangerous. Usual strength of Kellen Moore’s men (and weakness of the Texans defense) the ground does not propel the Cowboys enough. Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott (15 carries, 62 yards and 1 TD) and Dak Prescott only gain 127 yards in this area.
Fortunately, the defense is gradually increasing in power in this meeting until this final drive inside 5 yards. The rest, you know it with a perfectly mastered offensive series from a meticulous Dak Prescott (5/6 and 76 yards). The pitcher thus allows his team to win. Jostled, the Cowboys finally knew how to speak their talent on both sides of the field to win. It will still be necessary to review a lot of things in training because this performance was not worthy of a contender for the final victory.
