The Dallas Cowboys evened their record at 2-2 with a 34-30 win over the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday. Cowboys trailed by 11 at the half before scoring four second half touchdowns to outlast Houston and drop the Texans to 0-4. Dallas has a short week before hosting Tampa Bay on Thursday.
tell you h’what pic.twitter.com/vRwAgo2RFY
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 4, 2026
What a day for CeeDee Lamb. The former Sooner hauled in a career high 17 catches for 189 yards, including the game winning 12 yard TD catch with :40 remaining. Coming into the season, I think a lot of folks had forgotten how good Lamb is. I didn’t hear his name brought up when discussing elite WR’s as much this offseason. Perhaps Lamb’s high ankle sprain last season, which allowed George Pickens to shine as Dak Prescott’s primary target, and all of the talk concerning Pickens’ future with the Cowboys this summer took the attention off of Lamb. Whatever the reason or combination of reasons, Lamb is leading the NFL with 37 catches and 498 receiving yards through four weeks. Have to credit Pickens for the two huge catches he made against Houston, a 53 yard reception and a 22 yarder to set up Lamb’s game winner. After a slow start in week 1, which was somewhat predictable considering hardly any of the offensive starters saw any playing time in the preseason, the Cowboys’ offense is in full gear. I’d still like to see them run the ball more efficiently, but if Prescott has time to throw, Dallas is lethal through the air.
HUGE CEEDEE TD 🔥#DallasCowboys | @_CeeDeeThree
📺: #DALvsHOU on FOX
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/XM2vIx7C1d pic.twitter.com/pQcMzqN4BZ— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 4, 2026
It was another rough day for the defense as Houston QB C.J. Stroud threw for 347 yards and 2 scores, 118 and one TD of that to the returning Nico Collins. The Texans are 30th in the league in rushing, even with David Montgomery, but the Cowboys were better against the run on Sunday, holding Houston to 62 yards on 19 carries. DT Quinnen Williams is beginning to show why he’s a perennial pro bowler. While Dallas allowed too much through the air, it seemed that Joey Porter Jr. had a fine debut for the Cowboys. I didn’t notice Stroud targeting Porter’s side much, instead choosing to go after DaRon Bland. It’ll be interesting to watch over the next few weeks how the addition of Porter affects what Christian Parker wants to do defensively. With someone as talented as Porter, I could see the Cowboys going with more man coverage than they have through four weeks.
big Q mood today ⛽️
Up Next 📺: #TBvsDAL on Prime Video pic.twitter.com/zgYfLeatdZ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 5, 2026
I’m as big a fan of Brandon Aubrey as anyone, and I’m thankful that he’s the kicker on my favorite team. However, I think Brian Schottenheimer got a little aggressive in asking Aubrey to attempt a 62 yard FG, which was blocked, and a 65 yarder, which he missed. Yes, he’s capable of hitting those kicks, but if you miss them, you give the opponent incredible field position, which especially doesn’t make sense with :30 left before the half. If you punt the ball, barring a huge play, you’re not going to give up any points before the break. Aubrey missed the kick, the Texans got the ball at the Cowboys’ 45, and three plays later, the Texans kick a FG as time runs out in the first half. Both missed FG’s led to Houston hitting FG’s, and the second of which probably doesn’t happen if Dallas punts the ball. It’s so en vogue these days to be aggressive, go for it on fourth down, and attempt long FG’s, but the more games that I watch, it seems like these gambles are hurting teams more than they help them.
fought to the last whistle #DALvsHOU | @ATT pic.twitter.com/JoaOL36u67
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 4, 2026
For the second straight week, Dallas will take on a team without a win as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to Arlington Thursday night at 7:15 on Prime. QB Baker Mayfield will not play because of a dislocated right thumb. Former Kansas Jayhawk QB Jalon Daniels will make his second start for the Bucs. Daniels is 19-30 for 148 yards on the season with 1 TD and 3 INT’s. Tampa has allowed 16 QB sacks through 4 games, so there should be opportunity for the Cowboys’ defensive front to pressure Daniels. Bucky Irving has carried the majority of the rushing load, while four different receivers, including TE Cade Otton, have more than 125 yards receiving. S Antoine Winfield is expected to miss the game as he recovers from a slight rib fracture. LB Josiah Trotter is the Bucs’ leading tackler, but he’s listed as questionable with a knee injury. Tampa Bay is 28th in total offense, 28th in pass offense, and 25th in points per game, but the Bucs are 4th in total defense, 4th against the pass, and 3rd against the run. The Bucs do not take care of the football, as they’ve given it away 9 times and are -5 in turnover margin; only the Colts have a worse turnover margin than the Buccaneers. If Dallas doesn’t force turnovers, Tampa might be able to keep this one close with their defense. Dallas has to show improvement of their own defensively in this one, as the Buccaneers shouldn’t have the firepower to outscore the Cowboys.
Dallas 27 Tampa Bay 20
Matt Meyer
@Bluto51
Join HC Brian Schottenheimer from the @thestarinfrisco for a press conference presented by Bank of America.
Up Next 📺: #TBvsDAL 10/8 on Prime Video
#DallasCowboys | @BankofAmerica https://t.co/tNNJALoZOk— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 5, 2026
