This was closer than it should’ve been
The Cowboys extended their losing streak on Monday night with a 34-10 loss to the Texans, although the final score doesn’t quite do it justice. Whether it’s an endorsement of the Cowboys’ effort or an indictment of the Texans’ lack of discipline, this one remained close through three quarters. But these five plays loomed large in the Cowboys’ ultimate undoing.
Brandon Aubrey misses easy field goal
As the first half was nearing an end, the Cowboys had positioned themselves well. After scoring on their last two drives, Dallas trailed 17-10 and was moving the chains yet again. Before long, they were in field goal range.
A short scramble on third down from Cooper Rush brought Brandon Aubrey onto the field for a 40-yard field goal, which Butter makes in his sleep. But, in a shock to everyone watching, Aubrey sent it just to the right and the ball doinked off the upright. Closer inspection showed that Aubrey’s plant foot slipped on the effort, he was later seen adjusting his shoe on the sidelines.
With the Cowboys getting the ball to start the second half, this field goal was an opportunity to set up the all-important double-dip for the Cowboys, potentially giving them a chance to take the lead. Aubrey missing this kick was kind of a microcosm for the Cowboys’ season, as nothing ever seems to go right for this year’s Cowboys.
Cooper Rush doesn’t see wide open Luke Schoonmaker
Despite Aubrey’s miss, the Cowboys were gifted another chance at scoring points before halftime. That’s because their defense, which really settled in after a rough first quarter, forced a three-and-out.
With 15 seconds left in the half on second and 10 at the Dallas 30-yard line, Rush was flushed out of the pocket and flung the ball across his body to Jalen Tolbert, who couldn’t make the catch through contact. The problem is that Rush had Luke Schoonmaker wide open across the field.
Schoonmaker was standing all alone right at the Dallas 45-yard line, and had at least another 10 yards to rumble if Rush could get the ball to him. That could’ve set up for a 62-yard field goal attempt, assuming the Cowboys didn’t gain more yards on ensuing plays. Instead, Dallas was stuck with third and long and ultimately took no points into the break.
Deep shot to Nico Collins sets up field goal
The Cowboys went three-and-out on their opening drive of the second half, setting up the Texans to try and do something they hadn’t done in the last two weeks: score an offensive touchdown in the second half. But Dallas had been containing C.J. Stroud well, and looked to do so again.
On second down just on the Cowboys’ side of the field, Stroud lasered the ball into Nico Collins – who just returned from the injured reserve for this game – between two linebackers in zone coverage. Collins took the ball and darted through traffic, racking up plenty of yards after the catch and finishing with 33 yards total.
The Cowboys defense had done a good job of limiting explosive plays up to this point, and in fairness they still held Houston to a field goal after this play. But the Cowboys, trailing 17-10 at this point, couldn’t afford to give up any more points. This big pass play flipped the field and ensured the Texans could at least make it a two-score game.
Questionable fourth-down play call after field goal
Time for some controversy. After the Texans upped their lead to 20-10, the Cowboys engineered a potential scoring drive of their own, although it fizzled out. Brandon Aubrey drilled a 64-yard field goal, but when Houston was called for an unnecessary roughness call, Dallas accepted the 15-yard penalty and automatic first down.
A few plays later, the Cowboys came up short on third down just eight yards away from the endzone. Needing just two yards for the first down, Mike McCarthy opted to go for it. He then called a rollout to Rush’s right, but nobody was open, and the play resulted in a turnover on downs.
After the fact, many questioned the decision to take the penalty and to go for it when a field goal would’ve made this a one-score game. Both decisions were correct – the Cowboys didn’t get inside the 10-yard line the rest of the night, so you ought to maximize that opportunity – but the play call is what deserves the bulk of the criticism here. Not being able to pick up two yards in such a high leverage situation is yet another indictment of this offense.
Cooper Rush, Tyler Guyton both fumble on same play
Credit once again goes to the Cowboys defense, as they forced a punt following the turnover on downs. With the fourth quarter just getting started, the Cowboys only trailed by 10 points and had plenty of opportunity to still claw their way to a win. Then, things unraveled.
On second and six, Rush dropped back to pass. Derek Barnett blew right past Tyler Guyton around the corner and got his hand in to knock the ball out of Rush’s hand as he was winding up to throw. Guyton then scooped the ball up off the bounce and tried to run with it, before he too fumbled the ball. The Texans then scooped it up and ran back for a touchdown.
A similar sequence happened last week with Terence Steele, and it was mind-blowing to see it happen in consecutive games. This one was even worse, though, as it resulted in a defensive touchdown. And with that, the narrow window for an upset victory was slammed firmly shut.