Houston Texans Dominate Dallas Cowboys with Joe Mixon’s Stellar Performance

The Houston Texans secured a convincing 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, thanks in large part to the standout performance of running back Joe Mixon. With Nico Collins back on the field, Mixon showcased his talents by rushing for 109 yards and scoring three touchdowns, in addition to contributing 44 receiving yards. This win snapped the Texans’ two-game losing streak, improving their season record to 7-4.

Collins made a significant impact in his return from a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury, catching four passes for 54 yards. This was a crucial addition to the Texans’ offense as they sought to find momentum after a rough patch. Mixon’s three rushing touchdowns marked the sixth consecutive game in which he has found the end zone, a feat that ties a team record. Since joining the Texans from Cincinnati through a trade, he has impressed by rushing for over 100 yards in six out of eight games this season, and his nine touchdowns over the latest six-game stretch set a new team record.

“Joe has been incredible,” quarterback C.J. Stroud remarked. “He’s a player who came in and taught us all what it takes to win. We’re not there yet, but we’re definitely making progress.” Mixon’s explosive performance helped Houston secure an early advantage, including a 45-yard touchdown run on the first drive, followed by another one-yard touchdown to put the Texans up 14-0 by the end of the first quarter. He capped off his night with yet another one-yard rush that made the score 34-10 in the fourth quarter.

Head Coach DeMeco Ryans praised Mixon’s impact, stating, “When Joe is performing at his best, he becomes a game-changer for us. Over 100 yards and three touchdowns, I really liked how we kept pushing hard in our running game.” This victory was particularly significant as it helped the Texans break free from their recent struggles in the second half; they added 17 points after halftime, a stark improvement compared to the mere 15 points scored in the second half during their last four games combined.

What has been noteworthy this season is how Mixon has revamped Houston’s running game. Last year, the team managed to surpass the 100-yard rushing mark only seven times. In contrast, the Texans are averaging 137.75 rushing yards per game in the eight games Mixon has participated in this season, a significant uptick from last season’s average of 96.88 yards.

However, there are areas that need improvement. Stroud passed for 257 yards on Monday night but failed to throw any touchdown passes. Over the past three games, he has only achieved one touchdown against three interceptions, which is a drop in performance compared to his four touchdowns and just one interception in the previous three games. Although Collins was open on a long pass early in the game, Stroud’s overthrow resulted in an interception.

On the defensive side, notable plays included a crucial strip-sack by Derek Barnett against Cooper Rush in the fourth quarter. While the ball was momentarily recovered by Dallas lineman Tyler Guyton, Jalen Pitre knocked it loose, allowing Barnett to scoop it up and run 28 yards for a touchdown. “That play by Derek Barnett was a turning point,” said Ryans. “It shifted the momentum and really energized our sideline.” Barnett’s score made him the sixth defensive lineman in franchise history to score on a fumble return this season.

In bad news for the Texans, left tackle Laremy Tunsil had a rash of penalties this season, including an ineligible man downfield call that nullified a 77-yard touchdown reception by Collins on the game’s opening play, marking his 14th penalty of the year, leading the league. Additionally, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. missed his second consecutive game due to an ankle injury, while tackle Blake Fisher might return for the upcoming game after sitting out against the Cowboys due to a concussion.

Key statistics from the game included a noteworthy performance from cornerback Derek Stingley, who recorded an interception, bringing the Texans’ total to 11 interceptions across the last six games.

Looking ahead, the Texans, who currently lead the AFC South, will face the struggling Tennessee Titans (2-8) at home on Sunday, followed by a trip to Jacksonville (2-9) on December 1. Houston aims to capitalize on these matchups before heading into their bye week, which is followed by a challenging schedule featuring Miami, Kansas City, and Baltimore in a 10-day stretch.