CeeDee Lamb’s late 12-yard touchdown reception capped a wild fourth-quarter comeback as the Dallas Cowboys rallied past the winless Houston Texans 34-30. The Texans led by 4 with about 2 ½ minutes to play, but Prescott engineered an 11-play, 74-yard drive that ended with the winning throw to Lamb with 40 seconds left.
The contest featured constant back-and-forth momentum, some big plays and a few errors that ended up settling the outcome. Here is the narrative of how it played out.
Williams Runs Three Touchdowns
Javonte Williams rushed for a career-best three touchdowns — all in the second half — as the Cowboys rallied from an early deficit. His first touchdown came on a 2-yard run that pulled the score to 27-23 with about 11 minutes to go. He added a 2-yard run to reduce the gap to 23-20 with seven minutes left in the third quarter, then capped the comeback with the game-winning touchdown on the final drive.
Dallas trailed by 4 after Woody Marks’ 6-yard touchdown run with about 2 ½ minutes to play. That set up the frantic finish.
A Hook-and-Ladder Sets Up the Go-Ahead Score
On third-and-14, the Texans hooked up a ladder play, and it worked. Schultz caught a 2-yard pass, and Montgomery ran 19 yards to set up Marks’ score. The Texans took the lead by 4, with about 2 ½ minutes on the clock.
The Cowboys responded instantly, with Prescott leading an 11-play, 74-yard drive. It featured a fourth-down conversion, and Prescott finished it with the throw to Lamb, putting the Cowboys ahead with 40 seconds on the clock.
Collins Shines but Falls Short
Nico Collins bounced back from missing two games with a hamstring injury to collect seven receptions, finish with 118 yards and two touchdowns. Even with that kind of production, the Texans failed to come away with a win.
The game’s best drive was launched by Jaylin Noel’s 53-yard kickoff return. Collins later scored again, which made the count 23-13 with roughly 11 minutes left in the third quarter. That put Houston in position for the final push.
Picks, Penalties and a Big Play by Clowney
On a throw over Kamari Lassiter, George Pickens hauled in a 53-yard reception that carried the Cowboys to the 11-yard line. The Cowboys were then given a first down at the 1 after Lassiter was flagged for pass interference on third down.
Williams lost 3 on first down after Clowney stuffed him for a gain of minus three. The Cowboys couldn’t get any traction on the ball from there, forcing a fourth down. Then a holding penalty by Lassiter gave the Cowboys a first down at the 1. Williams followed that with a touchdown plunge on the next play.
Field Goals Decided the Middle Period
The game swung in the middle of the first half. Kaʻimi Fairbairn’s 39-yard field goal gave Houston a 13-6 lead after Will Anderson blocked Brandon Aubrey’s 62-yard field-goal attempt about 4 ½ minutes before halftime.
Fairbairn’s 54-yard field goal made it 16-6 at halftime. Aubrey’s 65-yard attempt with about 30 seconds left in the second quarter sailed wide left.
A Long Day for Houston’s Defense
Two defenders went down during the game. Jaylin Smith exited in the second quarter after a hamstring injury. DT Jaden Crumedy suffered his shoulder in the third quarter.
Before halftime, Will Anderson blocked Brandon Aubrey’s 62-yard field-goal attempt, keeping the game close. The block happened about 4 ½ minutes before intermission, with Houston up by 4.
The Halftime Ceremony
The Texans marked their 25th season with an anniversary celebration at halftime. The ceremony honored former players, including Hall of Famer Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, DeAndre Hopkins, Brian Cushing and Billy Miller, as well as the work of former coach Gary Kubiak. J.J. Watt did not attend the event in person, but he recorded a message that was played on the video boards.
Porter Makes His Debut
Joey Porter Jr. got his first action of the season on Wednesday after being traded from the Steelers to the Cowboys. He played extensively in his debut with the new team, despite having sat out the first three games while upset about his contract and dealing with a back issue.
What Happens Next
Thursday night sees Tampa Bay going to Dallas to face the Cowboys. The Texans, meanwhile, have a road trip to Nashville for a Sunday match against Tennessee.
The Key Numbers
- Final score: Cowboys 34, Texans 30
- CeeDee Lamb: 17 catches, 189 yards, 1 touchdown
- Javonte Williams: 3 touchdowns rushing (career high)
- Dak Prescott: 335 yards passing
- C.J. Stroud: 347 yards passing
- Nico Collins: 7 receptions, 118 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Game-winning touchdown: Lamb’s 12-yard reception with 40 seconds left
- Houston remains winless at 0-4
Why This One Matters
The late-game surge rested on what Prescott’s drive included a fourth-down conversion, and the offense moved the ball consistently even after Clowney’ did in the final period. His stop ended a drive at the right moment. That touchdown proved to be the margin, yet the entire sequence — the hook-and-ladder play, the block on the field goal attempt, and the penalty that kept the drive going — made it possible.
The Texans had the lead with time to protect it. They didn’t. Houston had a last chance after Lamb’s touchdown, but Stroud’s desperation pass fell incomplete.
The victory belonged to the Cowboys, who found a way, while the Texans fell short, unable to seal the win.
The game ended with excitement, and the Cowboys came out on top.
Source material: “Late touchdown caps a wild Cowboys rally to beat winless Texans 34-30,” ABC13 Houston.
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