Texans and Cowboys Lost Season Openers

Both NFL teams now face the pressure of avoiding an 0-2 start in their upcoming home games.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football

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The Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys both suffered losses in their Week 1 NFL matchups. Both franchises now look to rebound in their upcoming home games to avoid the statistically difficult 0-2 start.

Why it matters

A team beginning the season with an 0-2 record faces a significant hurdle, as historical data shows such teams have only an 11 to 12 percent probability of reaching the postseason.

The Texans allowed 36 points and 400 total yards in their loss to the Bills, while the Cowboys surrendered 165 rushing yards and three passing touchdowns against the Giants. The Cowboys also struggled with discipline, committing nine penalties in the defeat.

The players

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston that competes in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference South division.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex that competes in the NFL as a member of the National Football Conference East division.

Dak Prescott

Dak Prescott is the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys who threw an interception during the second quarter of the team's Week 1 loss to the New York Giants.

The details

The Houston Texans committed two turnovers against the Buffalo Bills, while the Dallas Cowboys struggled to contain the New York Giants, who possessed the ball for 37 minutes. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott also threw an interception in the second quarter that led directly to a Giants touchdown.

Week 1 games concluded with losses for both the Texans and the Cowboys.
Week 2 features upcoming home games for both franchises as they attempt to improve their records.

Season Trajectory

These Week 1 losses force both teams into a difficult position where they must secure a win to reach a 1-1 record, which offers a significantly more manageable path to the playoffs. A loss in Week 2 would place both organizations in a statistical hole that few teams have managed to overcome in the modern NFL era.

The 0-1 start means both teams must win in Week 2 to increase their postseason probability from the sub-12 percent range to the 38 to 39 percent range. Fantasy managers and bettors should monitor the upcoming home game rotations as both teams attempt to correct their turnover and penalty issues.

The takeaway

Teams that start 0-1 must treat their second game as a critical pivot point to remain competitive for the remainder of the season. Consistent execution in the second week is the only way to move from a statistically unlikely playoff contender back into the mix.