Cowboys vs. Texans 2018 Week 5 game: Cowboys punt it back in OT, Texans kick the field goal sending Dallas to 2-3

OVERTIME

Cowboys win the toss and elect to receive but after failing to pick up a 3rd and 1, they punt it back to the Texans. Watson finds Hopkins, who runs for 27 yards after three Cowboys fail to tackle him, the Texans can end it on a field goal. Just flat out depressing.

Fourth Quarter

After a great punt return from Tavon Austin, the Cowboys line gets pinched and Dak goes down. It’s 3rd and 14, Cowboys can’t convert, they punt it back but DeMarcus Lawrence gets to Watson as he throws...INTERCEPTION...Xavier Woods! This game is headed to overtime!

Remember Romodini...Well, take a look at this DAKTAKULAR play!!! They can’t get the conversion but Brett Maher drills another to tie it up at 16. Cowboys defense gets off the field and the offense will get the ball with under four minutes to play.

After Byron Jones gets called for a PI in the end zone, the Texans try a run on 1st and goal...nope. On 2nd and goal Watson tries to sneak it...not happening. Then on 3rd and goal, pass incomplete. Texans are turned away from six and settle for three. Texans lead Cowboys 16-13. That’s the Cowboys third goal-line stop of the night.

Dak takes off to gain nine-yards to make it 3rd and manageable but Deonte Thompson can’t complete the catch. The Receivers have been no help to Dak Prescott tonight. Cowboys punt it back to Houston and then the Texans pick up a first down on third down thanks to a Randy Gregory penalty.

Third Quarter

Ezekiel Elliott pops off two nice runs but one is called back because of a Connor Williams holding call. We head to the fourth quarter tied at 13.

On the Cowboys ensuing drive, a really questionable challenge by Jason Garrett, which he loses. Dak Prescott is sacked on third down by Jadeveon Clowney. Cowboys and Texans exchange quick punts.

Thankfully, this defense came to play, Byron Jones contests the fade to DeAndre Hopkins and Leighton Vander Esch keeps them out of the end zone. Texans tie up the game with a field goal.

Every single interception that Dak has thrown has been off the hands of his receivers. You can blame Dak for placement but if it hits your hands...come on...knock it down, maybe? Something, fellas!

The Cowboys get a favorable penalty that gives them possession at the 20 but then...ball bounces off Thompson’s hands and it’s intercepted by Justin Reid...or was it? Sorry, Dez Bryant but the ball can hit the ground now.

Ezekiel Elliott takes the screen to the Houston-7, a few short plays later, Dak Prescott to Allen Hurns TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys lead 13-10.

On 3rd and 3, Anthony Brown forces DeAndre Hopkins to FUMBLE, Jourdan Lewis returns it to the Houston-16.

Halftime

Texans 10, Cowboys 6

Second Quarter

Watson finds DeAndre Hopkins over the middle, did he score? Nope, Jeff Heath drops him at the one. On 4th and goal, Watson keeps it but Jaylon Smith lays him out for the huge goal-line stand. No points was a savior for the Cowboys, down four at the half!

Right at the 2:00 minute warning, the Cowboys sneak it on 4th and inches after a questionable spot. Dak looking for Tavon Austin is a tad high, it’s tipped and picked by Houston. Tavon should have made that catch but alas no points for the Cowboys. Texans have a shot to score before the half and are in the red zone on a big run by Alfred Blue.

Texans take the ball down the field after Xavier Woods is called for a personal foul. Daniel Ross blows up the pocket on 3rd and Goal, Texans settle for the FG, Texans up 10-6.

Cowboys start at their own 25, Ezekiel Elliott breaks off a 14-yard run, then Dak runs for six more. La’el Collins gets a false start on 2nd and 4 but the Cowboys get the five back on an offsides. On 3rd and 4, Dak overthrows Cole Beasley and it just barely escapes Jonathan Joseph, who almost picked it. Cowboys punt.

On first-and-goal, the Texans have a false start. Watson takes off on back-to-back plays but Jeff Heath lays him out at the one. On 3rd and goal, a shovel-pass from Watson to Keke Coutee gets the score. Texans take the lead, 7-6.

First Quarter

The Texans offense is back on the field and facing a third and three, Byron Jones gets beat on a slant for 34-yards, Texans with a 1st and goal.

Cowboys back on the move with a really nice completion to Rico Gathers for 32-yards but drive stalls at the HOU-26. Brett Maher nails a 43-yarder, Cowboys 6-0.

Texans pick up a few first downs with some improvisation from Deshaun Watson but Jaylon Smith gets him down for a tackle for loss then on a 3rd- and 11, Smith is there again. Cowboys force the field goal and Houston MISSES it. Score remains 3-0 Cowboys.

Cowboys lost the toss, Texans defer, so the Cowboys offense got the start in this one. After two straight plays for nothing, Dak Prescott connects with Allen Hurns for the first down. Rod Smith then rumbles through and turns a loss into a gain. Dak Prescott hit Geoff Swaim on a screen for 42-yards!!

Cowboys come short in the red zone on third down but Brett Maher puts a 27-yarder through and Dallas lead 3-0.

Pregame

Inactives:

Cowboys: QB Mike White, LB Sean Lee, OG Xavier Su’a-Filo, TE Dalton Schultz, DT David Irving, DT Maliek Collins

Texans: WR Vyncint Smith, CB Aaron Colvin, ILB Brian Peters, OLB Daeshon Hall, T David Sharpe, DE Carlos Watkins, DE Christian Covington

When you are digging out of an early-season hole, every game is huge. Once Dallas found themselves at 1-2, they knew they needed to string some wins together. Last week, they started the process by beating the Detroit Lions. Now, they need to continue it by winning on the road against the Houston Texans.

The Cowboys offense woke up last week with a 400+ yard game and they put 26 points on the board. They will need more of the same this week, and you know that Ezekiel Elliott is going to be a big part of that plan. Zeke had a huge day last week on the ground and through the air. Of course, J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will be looking to disrupt both the passing game and the running game. Dak Prescott will have to remain composed in the pocket and make wise choices with the football. If the Texans get to aggressive, he might use some read-options and RPOs to punish them.

The Cowboys defense will have to contend with a powerful Texans offense orchestrated by quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Texans are pretty good at moving the ball and racking up yards, but they don’t convert those into points at the rate they should. The Cowboys defense could really use a couple of turnovers in this game. The team has struggled in that area.

What You Need To Know

Important links: Cowboys depth chart | Roster

Date: October 7th, 2018

Game time: 8:20 PM EST

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

TV channel: NBC

Coverage Map: 506 Sports

Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya (Field reporter)

Radio: 105.3 The Fan | Full listings | Westwood One | SIRIUS: 81 (Dal), 83 (Hou) | XM: 226 (Dal), 225 (Hou)

Streaming: NFL.com GamePass (audio only during game), NBC Sports online, Yahoo Sports app

Cowboys record: (2-2)

Texans record: (1-3)

Odds: Dallas +3.5

Prediction: Dallas 31 - Texans 27

Enemy blog: Battle Red Blog

Twitter: @BloggingTheBoys

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