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Finally, the last preseason game is over and it was for the Governor’s Cup as the Cowboys were hosted by the Texans. Of course, we’ll bring the highlights but game is more about who’s making the plays that can earn them that blue star on the helmet?
FIRST QUARTER
Alright folks, let’s all say a prayer for these quarterbacks:
Cowboys' starting offensive line tonight:
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 31, 2018
LT: Cameron Fleming
LG: Kadeem Edwards
C: Jacob Ohnesorge
RG: Damien Mama
RT: Chaz Green
Cowboys got the ball first and Cooper Rush tossed the ball deep to Lance Lenoir, the ball was incomplete but it garnered a PI call. We can’t say that our very own Tom Ryle was wrong here:
PI is best offensive play of preseason for Rush.
— Preseason Tom (@TomRyleBTB) August 31, 2018
Rush went to Lenoir several times, the Cowboys want to see Lenoir plead his case:
Busy night for Lance Lenoir. Three passes, all targeted at Lenoir.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
After what looks to be a three and out for the Cowboys, kicker Brett Maher had other plans...
@1053SS @RDubThree @rjchoppy ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ #CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/nO86z0e08N
— William (@Texas_William) August 31, 2018
Brett Maher drills the 57 yard FG! pic.twitter.com/dtUqEU85zg
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Okurrr Brett Maher with the 57-yard field goal. Impressive for the backup kicker.
— Taylor Stern (@TayStern) August 31, 2018
Cowboys 3, Texans 0
The Cowboys fend off the Texans first offensive series. Because they are gluttons for punishment, Lance Lenoir was out fielding punts, close your eyes!
Lenoir held on to that ball, after getting blasted. No fair catch.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
Ballsy.
He held on? Okay, Lance.
Too bad the Cooper Rush was in the giving mood again:
Why Cooper Why pic.twitter.com/bC8GtxbBAo
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
At this point, why not?
Jason Garrett will be the Cowboys' backup QB this season
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 31, 2018
Thankfully, he stepped out of bounds so it wasn’t Rush’s second pick-six. It didn’t take long for the Texans though to put one in:
Everybody knows the first team to score the touchdown loses the game duh pic.twitter.com/0gv3eeIbUK
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Texans 7, Cowboys 3
Let’s check in with former third-round pick, Chaz Green, on second thought...nevermind:
Chaz Green.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Not good.
Don’t worry help is on the way at the expense of my pet cat, Charvarius Ward:
OL depth. Certainly need it. https://t.co/rfy1joBawB
— Preseason Tom (@TomRyleBTB) August 31, 2018
It’s okay, the Texans offensive line wasn’t much better:
Former Cowboys QB Brandon Weeden under heavy pressure these last two plays. DT Daniel Ross credited with a sack. He's played well lately with more reps. #cowboyswire
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) August 31, 2018
This quarter ends and it was boring in every definition of the word:
Cowboys backup offense continues to struggle.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
They trail 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/u71vkVqPBt
It's just preseason so no need to freak out, but the Cowboys have now gone seven preseason quarters without scoring a touchdown. Last one was Dak Prescott to Terrance Williams in the second quarter against Cincinnati.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) August 31, 2018
SECOND QUARTER
So... with Charvarius Ward shipped off, is it an opportunity for another young corner?
Now the question is... who is the #Cowboys 5th CB? Marquez White? Donovan Olumba? Someone else?
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 30, 2018
Donovan Olumba decides to be that man!
It didn't. No point in speaking in definites here. Olumba has the edge, even as this game goes on.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
For every play Thomas makes, Olumba makes two. https://t.co/ewUrJDgOZ7
Olumba wants every inch of that seat Ward just vacated.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
In other roster battle news, it was a bad night for the RB3 candidates Darius Jackson and Bo Scarbrough:
Jackson was starting to pull away from Scarbrough but that drop is like accidentally pulling the parking brake.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
It's again neck-and-neck.
These running backs can’t catch a cold.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
"good point Bo and Darius, we dont need a 3rd RB on the roster"
— Landon Vander Ish (@McCoolBCB) August 31, 2018
Also, in linebacker land, sixth-round pick Chris Covington wasn’t doing himself favors as he was missing tackles and getting beat :
Chris Covington not having a great night.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
But why would Michael Gallup play if Antwaun Woods is sitting?
Michael Gallup, the best wide receiver in the NFL is still on the field with six minutes to go in the second quarter.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Not ideal.
Now seems like a good time to get Michael Gallup out of the game
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 31, 2018
He needs to Gallup over to the sideline and wear a cap. #cowboyswire
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) August 31, 2018
Cowboys D-Line in a few short tweets, even the backups are good:
Tapper with the blocked pass! #DALvsHOU
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
Jihad Ward, time for you to make a play buddy.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
An right on time, Jihad Ward says “you rang?”
Jihad Ward with a sack, he just had a knockdown on the previous play. Ward making some plays this evening.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 31, 2018
On 3rd and 15, #Cowboys sack Webb. #Texans punt. DAL takes over w/ 0:42 in 2nd at the 23 yard line #DALvsHOU
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
Cooper Rush is done for the night, to be fair the interception at the half was on a hail mary:
Cooper Rush in 1st half:
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
14/25 for 83 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
29.3 passer rating
Who helped themselves?
Of the "bubble guys," who helped their case in the first half? Jeron Johnson perhaps. Jihad Ward? Anybody else?
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 31, 2018
Is the grizzled veteran safety, Jeron Johnson, perhaps a keeper?
Believe it or not, Jerron Johnson hasn’t been bad tonight.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Another slowwwwww start from the Cowboys offense. Mike White will come out for the second half with his team trailing 7-3.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Can White rally the team to victory? Can the defense continue to play well? We'll find out after halftime! pic.twitter.com/saxb8b8KxO
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER
Second half. Let's form a prayer circle and get through this together.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
INJURY ALERT: Charles Tapper was doing well in the first half but it’s always seems like his body fails him, hopefully he’s okay:
Charles Tapper walks off the field with some health issue.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 31, 2018
DE Charles Tapper leaves the field with assistance from the athletic training staff. #cowboyswire
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) August 31, 2018
The defense bends but it doesn’t break, score stays right where it is!
#Cowboys stop the run on 4th and 1, take over w/ 9:44 in 3rd #DALvsHOU
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
Pack your bags Cooper! Mike White completed a pass. It’s sad but that’s where we are now:
White to Lenoir for a solid gain.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
The battle is settled: Jordan Chunn for RB3!!!
Chunn already looks better than both Jackson and Scarbrough, and that's so interesting.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
Don’t panic, the offense is moving the ball, Dalton Schultz making plays:
White to Dalton Schultz in the middle. Gain of 9.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
Great wrap up on that ball in traffic.
Okay...let’s go Chunn...Choo-Choo!
Jordan Chunn doin work
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 31, 2018
Lance Lenoir wants to make the team so bad...on 3rd and 6, he catches another just short of the chains...
Lenoir has been targeted six times, caught five, landed a DPI on his first -- survived a Sub-Zero fatality in the first half.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
Okay, the Cowboys are going for it on 4th and 1...COME ON BOYS! That’s it, cut them all.
Chunn goes down in the backfield for a loss on 4th and 1, and that's where Scarbrough would have a clear edge on him.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
Did the coaches get a touch of amnesia? That’s not Ezekiel Elliott:
4th and 1 with 8+ men in the box after motioning your outside WR off tackle running right into the loaded box.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Never change. Never change.
No worries, Dorance Armstrong gets the sack on Brandon Weeden, what a great surprise he’s turned out to be:
*clears throat* *looks Dorance Armstrong in the eyes* *places finger in ear*
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
ANNNNNNDDDD IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEIIIIIIII WILLLL ALWAYS LOVEEEEEE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUEWWWWWWWWUUUUUUUUUUU pic.twitter.com/c5Ch3jl7Jk
SACK by Dorance Armstrong
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 31, 2018
My only remaining question about Dorance Armstrong is, whose number will he be wearing when the 53-man roster reports to practice next week?
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) August 31, 2018
And Mike White will be back leading the offense, not bad so far:
Mike White is 4-4 to start the second half for 22 yards.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 31, 2018
But these receivers let him down on 3rd and 7:
Dres Anderson with the ugly drop there, but he's been playing well since his signing -- otherwise.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
Still, that was ugly.
Dres Anderson with a drop and I think we have five drops unofficially.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 31, 2018
Not going to lie, we would all love to see this:
Put Chris Jones in to punt and run the Oakland special. Please and thank you.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Gosh...why can’t these coaches get creative?! No fun for us.
#Cowboys punt. #Texans take over w/ 1:37 in 3rd #DALvsHOU
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
INJURY ALERT: Austin Larkin was showing some stuff on the defensive line:
Austin Larkin is down. Getting checked out.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 31, 2018
Lance Lenoir with some sweet feet, weaves through the Texans coverage unit and gives the offense great field position past their 40:
Lenoir with the HUGE punt return!!!
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
And that spin move was *kisses tips my fingers*...
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2018
#Texans punt. #Cowboys take over w/ 0:07 in 3rd. #DALvsHOU
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
FOURTH QUARTER
Mike White’s momentum gets stopped by a Rico Gathers holding call on the next possession but do we dare think it’s possible?
I know all the usual caveats, but if I was forced to name one backup QB to keep, I'd have to take White. He is at least showing something, Rush had almost nothing. (It did help White that the running game showed a wee bit o' life.)
— Preseason Tom (@TomRyleBTB) August 31, 2018
On 3rd and 20, you got to at least try to move the chains if you want the job, Mike White:
7-3 ball game, fourth quarter. 3rd-and-20. Sure let's throw to the flat.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) August 31, 2018
#Cowboys punt, #Texans take over w/ 12:41 in 4th #DALvsHOU
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
Cowboys get it back after a quick three-and-out and Mike White finds Dres Anderson, who actually catches it on third down:
Mike White with a nice throw on third down to keep the chains moving. #cowboyswire
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) August 31, 2018
Sadly, that drive ends too when White and Anderson can’t repeat on third and 8, three plays later. Another punt.
#Cowboys punt, #Texans take over at own 23 w/ 8:44 in 4th #DALvsHOU
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
The defense finally busted late and the Texans pulled away from the Cowboys on a nice run:
Swanson 37 yard rushing TD for #Texans. PAT good. HOU 14 DAL 3 w/ 5:11 in 4th. #DALvsHOU @1053thefan
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
Texans score thanks to ... uh, Swammi? Slippy? Slappy? Swenson? Swanson?#DallasCowboys #DALvsHOU pic.twitter.com/2LIoT1TjTK
— ™️ (@TommySledge) August 31, 2018
Texans 14, Cowboys 3
The Cowboys would add another field goal, thanks to the leg of Brett Maher, he may be the only guy that guaranteed himself a spot but it’ll be on another team:
#Cowboys Maher nails FG. HOU 14 DAL 6 w/ 3:24 in 4th #DALvsHOU @1053thefan
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) August 31, 2018
Tbh, the Cowboys should trade Dan Bailey to the Raiders for Khalil Mack and two first round picks. Brett Maher is elite.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
That’s all she wrote for the preseason Cowboys:
That'll do it in Houston. The Cowboys fall to 0-4 in a 14-6 loss to the Texans. The Cowboys also lost all four of their preseason games in 2014, we all know how that season went.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 31, 2018
Dallas opens up the regular season next Sunday taking on the Panthers on the road.
It start's now pic.twitter.com/N1G5Xv09LX