Derek Barnett’s game-changing fumble recovery for a touchdown highlighted the Houston Texans’ 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Barnett’s pivotal defensive play came in the fourth quarter when he forced and returned a fumble 28 yards for a score, sealing the Texans’ win. Joe Mixon powered Houston’s offense with 109 rushing yards and three touchdowns, extending his scoring streak to six games.
The Texans, now 7-4, snapped a two-game losing streak and maintained their AFC South lead. C.J. Stroud threw for 257 yards but avoided major risks, bouncing back from an early interception. Stroud has struggled recently, with only two touchdown passes against three interceptions in his last five games.
The Cowboys (3-7) suffered their fifth consecutive defeat and remain winless at home. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush threw for 354 yards and a 64-yard touchdown to KaVontae Turpin but faced relentless pressure, taking five sacks. Dallas also lost key players to injuries, including tight end Jake Ferguson and guards Zack Martin and Tyler Smith.
Barnett’s Defensive Play Turns the Tide
Barnett’s decisive moment came as Rush fumbled while under pressure, leading to a chaotic sequence where rookie Tyler Guyton lost the ball again before Barnett scooped it up for the touchdown. “That play flipped the momentum and got everybody juiced up on the sideline,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.
Earlier, Mixon set the tone with a 45-yard touchdown run on Houston’s first possession, part of a dominant performance that saw him score three times. The Texans’ defense also delivered, forcing key stops and limiting Dallas to a single touchdown in the second half.
Cowboys’ Struggles Mount
Dallas’ woes extended beyond the scoreboard, with debris falling from the stadium’s retractable roof pregame and the team suffering multiple injuries. The Cowboys’ 0-5 home record marks the first time in NFL history a team has trailed by 20+ points in six consecutive home games, including last season’s playoff loss to Green Bay.
Coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the frustration, stating, “We’re all frustrated… but we have to focus on what’s in front of us.”
The Texans move forward with renewed momentum, while the Cowboys face a long climb to salvage their season.
