Joe Mixon ran wild on Monday Night Football in this November 18, 2024 matchup. The Houston running back punched in three touchdowns and rumbled for 109 yards as the Texans rolled over Dallas 34-10 at AT&T Stadium.
The defense did the rest. Houston recorded five sacks and Derek Barnett returned a fumble 28 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Cooper Rush threw 55 passes for the Cowboys but couldn’t get Dallas into the end zone when it mattered.
The 92,969 fans in Arlington watched Houston build a 17-7 halftime lead before the defense shut out the Cowboys completely over the final 30 minutes.
Table of Contents
- Final Score and Statistical Leaders
- Passing Performance Numbers
- Ground Game Statistical Breakdown
- Receiving Stats and Passing Game Breakdown
- Defensive Performance Stats
- Special Teams Stats
- Overall Team Stats and Game Summary
- Complete Game Recap
- Key Individual Performances
- Injury Report
- Playoff and Season Implications
Final Score and Statistical Leaders
Week 11: Texans 34, Cowboys 10
| Category | Houston Texans | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Leader | C.J. Stroud (257 yards, 23/34) | Cooper Rush (354 yards, 32/55, 1 TD) |
| Rushing Leader | Joe Mixon (109 yards, 3 TDs) | Rico Dowdle (28 yards, 10 carries) |
| Receiving Leader | Nico Collins (54 yards, 4 rec) | CeeDee Lamb (93 yards, 8 rec) |
| Defensive Leader | Jalen Pitre (9 tackles, 1 FF) | Eric Kendricks (9 tackles) |
Passing Performance Numbers
Houston Texans Passing
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. Stroud | 23/34 | 257 | 0 | 1 | 1-7 | 77.7 | 37 |
Dallas Cowboys Passing
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Rush | 32/55 | 354 | 1 | 1 | 5-34 | 75.9 | 64 |
| Bryan Anger | 1/1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 83.3 | 4 |
Stroud’s efficiency stood out against Rush’s volume. Houston’s offensive line gave their quarterback time to work while Dallas struggled to establish pass protection throughout the night.
Ground Game Statistical Breakdown
Houston Texans Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Mixon | 20 | 109 | 5.5 | 3 | 45 |
| C.J. Stroud | 3 | 26 | 8.7 | 0 | 20 |
| Tank Dell | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 |
| Dameon Pierce | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Team Total | 25 | 141 | 5.6 | 3 | 45 |
Dallas Cowboys Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rico Dowdle | 10 | 28 | 2.8 | 0 | 9 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 13 |
| Deuce Vaughn | 4 | 13 | 3.3 | 0 | 7 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Cooper Rush | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Team Total | 18 | 64 | 3.6 | 0 | 13 |
Mixon averaged 5.5 yards per carry and extended his touchdown streak to six consecutive games since returning from an ankle injury. He scored 10 touchdowns in nine games for Houston during the 2024 season. Dallas managed just 3.6 yards per rush with no running back finding any rhythm against Houston’s front seven.
Receiving Stats and Passing Game Breakdown
Nico Collins returned from a five-game hamstring injury and immediately made an impact. Tank Dell benefited from defenses focusing on Collins. Stroud spread the ball across eight different receivers while Rush targeted 11 Cowboys but couldn’t establish consistent connections beyond Lamb and one big play to Turpin.
Houston Texans Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nico Collins | 4 | 54 | 13.5 | 0 | 33 | 7 |
| Tank Dell | 4 | 54 | 13.5 | 0 | 26 | 7 |
| Joe Mixon | 2 | 44 | 22.0 | 0 | 37 | 4 |
| John Metchie III | 3 | 33 | 11.0 | 0 | 16 | 3 |
| Dalton Schultz | 5 | 33 | 6.6 | 0 | 12 | 7 |
| Cade Stover | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| Robert Woods | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| Dare Ogunbowale | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
Dallas Cowboys Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CeeDee Lamb | 8 | 93 | 11.6 | 0 | 29 | 12 |
| KaVontae Turpin | 3 | 86 | 28.7 | 1 | 64 | 3 |
| Luke Schoonmaker | 6 | 56 | 9.3 | 0 | 24 | 10 |
| Brevyn Spann-Ford | 4 | 42 | 10.5 | 0 | 17 | 5 |
| Jalen Tolbert | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 0 | 15 | 5 |
| Ryan Flournoy | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 0 | 15 | 3 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| Jake Ferguson | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
Playing on a limited snap count in his return, Collins still commanded defensive attention that opened opportunities across the formation. Dell took advantage with key receptions. Lamb drew heavy targets but his touchdown drought extended to three games despite working free in coverage.
Defensive Performance Stats
Houston’s defense dominated the second half. Danielle Hunter and Derek Barnett combined for three sacks while the entire unit held Dallas scoreless over the final 30 minutes.
“The defense played with elite energy,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game. “One big play that we gave up. Like to have that one back, but overall I think our guys played really well.”
Houston Texans Defense
| Player | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD | QB Hits | FF | FR | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Pitre | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ka’dar Hollman | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Henry To’oTo’o | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Azeez Al-Shaair | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denico Autry | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Danielle Hunter | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derek Barnett | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tim Settle Jr. | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Calen Bullock | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dallas Cowboys Defense
| Player | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD | QB Hits | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Kendricks | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Malik Hooker | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Trevon Diggs | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Butler | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| DeMarvion Overshown | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Donovan Wilson | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Osa Odighizuwa | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Hunter dominated the pass rush throughout the night. Barnett made the game’s biggest defensive play, stripping Cooper Rush, recovering the fumble, and returning it 28 yards for a touchdown that put the game out of reach. Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted Rush in the first quarter while Malik Hooker picked off Stroud. The complete box score on ESPN shows Houston held Dallas scoreless for the entire second half.
Special Teams Stats
| Team | Kicker | FG Made/Att | Long | XP Made/Att |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Ka’imi Fairbairn | 2/2 | 33 | 4/4 |
| Dallas | Brandon Aubrey | 1/2 | 53 | 1/1 |
Aubrey’s missed 40-yard field goal at the end of the first half kept Dallas down seven instead of four. His plant foot slipped on the attempt with 56 seconds remaining before intermission, and the kick hit the right upright.
| Team | Punter | Punts | Yards | Average | Long | Inside 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Tommy Townsend | 4 | 210 | 52.5 | 59 | 3 |
| Dallas | Bryan Anger | 2 | 82 | 41.0 | 42 | 1 |
Townsend averaged 52.5 yards per punt and placed three kicks inside the 20-yard line, pinning Dallas deep multiple times in the second half.
Overall Team Stats and Game Summary
Beyond the kicking game, the overall numbers show an interesting paradox: Dallas actually outgained Houston slightly but couldn’t execute when it mattered most. Both teams converted third downs at the same rate, but Houston went 1 for 2 on fourth down while Dallas failed all four attempts.
| Stat Category | Houston | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 391 | 388 |
| First Downs | 21 | 24 |
| Third Down | 4/12 (33%) | 5/15 (33%) |
| Fourth Down | 1/2 | 0/4 |
| Time of Possession | 30:37 | 29:23 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
The offensive stats were nearly even, but Dallas outgained Houston by three yards and earned three more first downs. The Cowboys went 0 for 4 on fourth down attempts though. They converted just one of their two red zone trips into points while Houston cashed in both opportunities.
Scoring Summary By Quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 14 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 34 |
| Dallas | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
The Cowboys got shut out in both the first and third quarters, managing all 10 of their points in the second quarter alone.
Complete Game Recap
Houston struck on the opening drive when Mixon burst through a massive hole up the middle and sprinted 45 yards to the end zone untouched at 12:42 of the first quarter. The drive nearly started with an even bigger play when C.J. Stroud hit Nico Collins on a screen pass that Collins took 77 yards for an apparent touchdown, but an ineligible receiver downfield penalty on Laremy Tunsil wiped out the score.
“I really love that first play because it showed what we could do in this game,” Ryans said. “Even though it got called back, I just told all our guys, ‘We can go score on these guys again. Just get it in your mind we’re going to score again.'”
Dallas tried a fake punt on fourth and nine from their own 33-yard line. Punter Bryan Anger completed his pass to Juanyeh Thomas, but Thomas got tackled well short of the first down marker. The Texans defense held on that possession, but momentum shifted when Malik Hooker intercepted Stroud on fourth and three from the Dallas 30.
Cooper Rush couldn’t capitalize. Derek Stingley Jr. jumped a route and picked off Rush, returning it seven yards to the Dallas 37. Ten plays later, Mixon powered in from one yard out for his second touchdown with 49 seconds left in the opening quarter. Houston led 14-0.
The Cowboys finally broke through when KaVontae Turpin took a short pass from Rush, made a defender miss, and raced 64 yards for a touchdown. Turpin reached 22.36 mph on the play, the fastest speed by any ball carrier in the NFL during the 2024 season up to that point according to Next Gen Stats. The score cut Houston’s lead to 14-7.
Ka’imi Fairbairn hit a 33-yard field goal to push the lead back to 10 before Brandon Aubrey connected from 53 yards out. The Cowboys had a chance to get closer before halftime, but Aubrey’s 40-yarder clanged off the upright as time expired.
Houston’s defense completely stifled Dallas in the second half. The Cowboys went three and out on their opening drive of the third quarter. Fairbairn added a 29-yard field goal to make it 20-10.
Dallas drove all the way to the Houston eight-yard line late in the third quarter but head coach Mike McCarthy decided to go for it on fourth and two. Rush’s pass fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs with 2:13 left in the third.
The fourth quarter belonged to Houston’s defense. On second and six from the Dallas 40, Derek Barnett stripped the ball from Rush’s hand as he attempted to throw. Tyler Guyton caught the fumble and tried to advance it. Jalen Pitre and Dylan Horton converged and knocked it loose again. Barnett grabbed it and rumbled 28 yards for a touchdown.
“The play he made really changed the game for us,” Ryans said. “It flipped the momentum. It got everybody juiced up on the sideline.”
That defensive touchdown made it 27-10 with 12:31 remaining. Mixon added his third touchdown on a one-yard plunge with 3:16 left, capping a six-play drive after the Cowboys turned it over on downs again.
Key Individual Performances
The game belonged to Joe Mixon. The veteran back punished Dallas with three touchdowns, breaking through the line repeatedly. His six-game touchdown streak since returning from injury ranked among the best stretches in the NFL during that period. Those 10 touchdowns in nine games (detailed stats at Match VS Player Stats) put him in elite company that season.
C.J. Stroud managed the game without forcing plays. He avoided major mistakes after his early turnover and kept the offense moving when needed. “It’s not as bad as it ever seems, and it’s never as good as it ever seems,” Stroud said. “Those type of games, you have to come out with a win, especially going up like that the half.” The Texans improved to 7-4 despite Stroud going three of his last five games without a touchdown pass.
Despite high volume, Cooper Rush couldn’t generate enough offense. The Cowboys spread the ball to 11 different receivers but lacked consistency. Getting sacked five times disrupted any rhythm Dallas tried to establish without a functional running game to lean on.
CeeDee Lamb worked hard all night but his touchdown drought extended to three games. After scoring in six of the first seven games of the 2024 season, the Pro Bowl receiver couldn’t break through despite drawing constant attention.
Nico Collins changed Houston’s offensive dynamic in his first game back from hamstring surgery. Despite easing back on limited snaps, he drew safety help that opened up the entire passing game.
Danielle Hunter entered Week 11 leading all NFL players with 62 total pressures during the 2024 season. He continued that dominance against Dallas, disrupting the pocket consistently and capitalizing when the Cowboys lost multiple offensive linemen in the fourth quarter.
Derek Barnett delivered the game’s defining moment with his fourth-quarter strip sack and fumble return touchdown. The defensive score effectively ended any Dallas comeback hopes and capped a dominant performance by Houston’s pass rush.
Injury Report
Will Anderson Jr., the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, missed his second consecutive game with an ankle injury. His absence showed early before Barnett and Hunter took over.
Dallas dealt with multiple injuries. Jake Ferguson left in the first quarter with a concussion. Markquese Bell suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter. The fourth quarter proved disastrous when left tackle Tyler Guyton, All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, and left guard Tyler Smith all went down with injuries. Rush got sacked on three consecutive plays after the linemen left, destroying any Dallas comeback hopes.
Playoff and Season Implications
This victory moved Houston to 7-4, maintaining their two-game lead in the AFC South. The Texans bounced back after consecutive losses to the Jets and Lions.
Dallas fell to 3-7 and 0-5 at home, losing their fifth straight game at that point in November 2024. “Well, they better be frustrated,” McCarthy said. “I mean, we’re all frustrated.”
The Cowboys’ five-game losing streak was their longest since dropping seven in a row during 2015. According to Pro Football Reference, Dallas became the first team in NFL history to trail by at least 20 points in six consecutive home games dating back to the 2023 season’s playoff loss to Green Bay. With Dak Prescott out for the year after hamstring surgery, any playoff hopes had vanished.
Dallas had been outscored 82-22 in third quarters during the 2024 season. The official NFL game recap details how Houston’s defense dominated the second half, outscoring Dallas 14-0 over the final 30 minutes.
The Houston Texans vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats demonstrate how execution in critical moments separates winning teams from losing ones. Mixon’s three touchdowns, the defense’s second-half shutout, and Barnett’s game-changing fumble return made the difference in a game where total yardage was nearly identical but results were vastly different.
