FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys once again found themselves in a close game in the third quarter, only to let it slip away in the second half.
The Texans dominated the final score, but the Cowboys had their chances. Here are some plays that might be forgotten, but could've changed the outcome.
Mazi Smith holding call – Right from the start, the Cowboys looked to get a break when the Texans were flagged for an illegal man downfield to negate a long touchdown catch by Nico Collins. Then on first-and-15, the Cowboys stuffed Joe Mixon on a run and were looking at second-and-long, but a defensive holding call on Mazi Smith gave Houston a first down. From there, the Texans never looked back and cruised into the end zone on a long score from Mixon for a 7-0 lead.
Mixon for 9 following the TD – The Cowboys not only cut Houston's lead in half with a long TD by KaVontae Turpin, but a fumbled kickoff by the Texans had them pinned back on their own 8-yard line to start their next possession. But on first down, Mixon picked up 9 yards to give the Texans some breathing room. Even a false start on the next play didn't set them back because of the first-down run. The Texans were able to pick up the first down and three more to get a field goal and push the lead back to 10.
Dowdle's drop before half, missed FG – Just before halftime, the Cowboys were in position to get points as they trailed 17-7. On second-and-9 at the Texans' 24-yard line, Cooper Rush threw out to the right flat to Rico Dowdle, who dropped the pass for an incompletion with 1:06 left. On third down, Rush then scrambled for just two yards. On the next play, Brandon Aubrey uncharacteristically missed a 40-yard field goal. Go back to the pass to Dowdle, who likely gets 4-5 yards. That might have been the difference in Aubrey's kick, which grazed the right upright.
Rush sacked to start the third – The reason the Cowboys deferred the decision after the coin toss was to get the ball to start the second half. And down by 10, they had a shot to make a difference. But on second-and-9 after a 1-yard run, Rush was sacked for a 4-yard loss, setting them behind the chains again. And even though CeeDee Lamb caught an 8-yard pass on the next play, it wasn't enough to move the sticks because of the sack. The Cowboys took the ball to start the third and once again couldn't score, setting the tone for a downhill second half.
Pass to Lamb on third down – An odd sequence occurred late in the third quarter when the Texans were flagged for a personal foul on Aubrey's 64-yard field goal that would have cut the lead to 20-13. But the Cowboys chose to take the points off the board and keep the drive going. However, on a third-and-15 from the 21-yard line and Rush hit Lamb for 13 yards. That made it close enough for Mike McCarthy to go for it on fourth down, and the Cowboys came up short with an incomplete pass. The pass to Lamb was a nice throw and catch, but without it, the Cowboys likely kick a field goal and cut the game to 7. Also, let's not forget the fumbled snap by Rush on first down that cost them 5 yards.
