Mixon’s Masterclass Leads Texans to Decisive Victory Over Struggling Cowboys
In a dominant display of football prowess, the Houston Texans crushed the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on Monday Night Football, showcasing why they’re emerging as serious contenders in the AFC South.
Joe Mixon delivered a remarkable performance, rushing for 109 yards and scoring three touchdowns, thereby tying a Texans franchise record. The veteran running back proved to be unstoppable, with 79 of his yards coming before contact, highlighting the exceptional performance of Houston’s offensive line.
“Joe, when he’s on, he’s a force for us,” praised Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. The offensive line rose to Ryans’ pre-game challenge, creating massive running lanes that allowed Mixon to go untouched on a career-long 45-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
The ground game’s success opened up opportunities for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who continued his impressive season by completing 67.6% of his passes for 257 yards. While Stroud’s stat line included an interception, the offensive line’s protection limited pressure to just 36% of his dropbacks, below their season average.
On the defensive side, the Texans showed they could dominate even without star rookie Will Anderson Jr.. The defense recorded five sacks, with Derek Barnett and Danielle Hunter stepping up to fill the void. A pivotal moment came when Barnett’s strip-sack led to a scoop-and-score, effectively sealing the game.
For the Cowboys, the nightmare continues. Starting his second game in place of an injured Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush threw for 354 yards and a touchdown, but a non-existent running game forced him to attempt 55 passes. While KaVontae Turpin provided a highlight with a 64-yard touchdown reception—reaching a blazing speed of 22.36 mph, the fastest by any ball carrier this season—it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
The loss marks a concerning trend for Dallas, as they’ve now trailed by 20+ points in six straight home games dating back to last season’s playoff loss—an NFL record no team wants to own. Questions about head coach Mike McCarthy‘s future are sure to intensify following this defeat.
Looking ahead, the Texans (7-4) have established themselves as legitimate playoff contenders, though offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik still has work to do in improving their third-down efficiency (3-for-11). The team’s ability to win decisively despite some offensive struggles speaks to their growing maturity and depth.
For Dallas (3-7), the season appears to be slipping away. With limited offensive weapons beyond CeeDee Lamb and Turpin, and a defense that’s lost its early-season swagger, the Cowboys face an uphill battle to salvage anything meaningful from their 2024 campaign.
The prime-time victory validates Houston’s rebuilding process while exposing Dallas’s deepening crisis. This Texas showdown may serve as a defining moment in the trajectories of both teams, as one team rises and another falls.