Cowboys Defeated Texans in 34-30 Thriller
The Dallas Cowboys secured a 34-30 victory over the winless Houston Texans.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Football
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The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Houston Texans 34-30 after a late game-winning drive. The loss leaves the Texans with a winless 0-4 record this season.
Why it matters
The Texans defense struggled throughout the match, continuing a trend of high-scoring performances allowed to opponents. This result puts Houston in a precarious position early in the season as they look for their first win.
CeeDee Lamb recorded 17 catches for 189 yards, while Dak Prescott threw for 335 total yards. The winning drive consisted of 11 plays covering 74 yards.
The players
CeeDee Lamb
He is a star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who dominated the game with 17 receptions.
Dak Prescott
He serves as the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and orchestrated the late-game winning drive.
Woody Marks
He is a running back for the Houston Texans who scored a late touchdown to briefly give his team the lead.
Dalton Schultz
He is an active player in the NFL who participated in the hook-and-ladder play during the fourth quarter.
David Montgomery
He is an NFL athlete who worked in tandem with Dalton Schultz during a critical late-game offensive sequence.
The details
Dak Prescott led the decisive 11-play, 74-yard drive, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb with 40 seconds remaining. Earlier, a hook-and-ladder play involving Dalton Schultz and David Montgomery set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Woody Marks with 2.5 minutes left.
Timeline
The game took place on October 4, 2026.
The Texans last had an 0-4 start in 2020.
The Chargers famously rebounded from an 0-4 start in 1992.
Season Trajectory
This loss puts the Houston Texans in a historical hole, as few teams overcome an 0-4 start to reach the playoffs. Following the example of the 1992 San Diego Chargers, the team must now look for an unprecedented turnaround to remain competitive in the division.
The Texans drop to 0-4, which significantly harms their postseason odds compared to the rest of the AFC. Fantasy managers should note the heavy target share for CeeDee Lamb, who remains a high-value asset.
The takeaway
The Texans must address their defensive inconsistencies to avoid a lost season. Fans should look for roster or scheme adjustments in the coming week to see if the team can salvage their campaign.
Further reading
Find more coverage on the team's struggles in our Houston Football section.
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Do you believe the Texans can still reach the playoffs after an 0-4 start?
