Cowboys vs. Texans final score, results. Joe Mixon scores 3 TDs as Houston dominates Dallas

Cate Schiller

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Cowboys vs. Texans final score, results. Joe Mixon scores 3 TDs as Houston dominates Dallas image

Kevin Jairaj

If there was any hope that Dallas might salvage their fading season, it was squashed on Monday night. 

The Texans came into town and steamrolled the Cowboys 34-10 on their home turf in another poor performance from Mike McCarthy's crew. 

In their first game since the news of Dak Prescott's season-ending surgery, Dallas didn't have much to rejoice over. The team struggled on both sides of the ball, with a bumbling offense that could barely score touchdowns and a defense that couldn't stop the run. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush (32-of-55, 354 yards, TD, INT) wasn't much better than last week and could only help the team reach a measly 10 points. Backup Trey Lance didn't see the field at all, something McCarthy acknowledged as a mistake after the game. 

MORE TEXANS-COWBOYS:
McCarthy: 'Should've put in' Trey Lance | Dallas sets embarrassing record | Dak can't believe failed fake punt

The Cowboys consistently struggled with penalties (9) and suffered a couple of injuries, including tight end Jake Ferguson who left the game with a concussion, and All-World guard Zack Martin (knee, back). Dallas has still yet to win a single game on their home turf this season, and with this loss, they sink to a dismal 3-7 going into Week 12 against the Commanders.

The Texans needed to prove themselves in this game, and they did just that. While C.J. Stroud (23-of-34, 257 yards, INT) wasn't always accurate, Houston was still able to put points on the board and even got some help in the form of a defensive touchdown out of Derek Barnett. The real star of the show, though, was Joe Mixon, who ended the game with three touchdowns under his belt. The running back finished with 109 rushing yards on 20 attempts while adding two catches for 44 yards.

Nico Collins' return was solid, if unspectacular, tacking on 54 receiving yards on four receptions. While Houston struggled to score offensive touchdowns and saw some holes in the passing game, it was a solid all-around effort to secure this win at AT&T Stadium. The W marked their first road win against the Cowboys in franchise history. Houston will host the Titans at NRG Stadium next weekend.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Cowboys vs. Texans on "Monday Night Football." Here's what you missed:

NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule

Cowboys vs. Texans score

  1  2  3  4  F 
Cowboys0100010
Texans14331434

Who won Monday Night Football?

Final: Texans 34, Cowboys 10

11:34 p.m. — Dallas runs it once more as time expires. Houston takes it!

11:30 p.m. — Rush hits Flournoy for three yards, and then Spann-Ford who runs it for the first down. Rush hands it off to Vaughn who runs up the middle and gains two, and then the QB connects with Turpin for another first. At the Houston 30, Rush goes long to Mingo and he nearly catches it in the end zone, but it falls incomplete.

11:27 p.m. — With 3:30 left on the clock, Townsend punts for the Texans. It's run for a short gain, then Turpin catches the next one from Rush and secures the first down as the two minute warning comes around. 

Texans 34, Cowboys 10

11:25 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN TEXANS! Mixon rushes it in for three yards and a hat trick on the night. Fairbairn knocks in the extra point.

11:22 p.m. — There with multiple personal fouls on both teams, but they were offset. Stroud passes it off to Mixon who runs it to the Dallas 3 yard line. More flags are drawn, as the Cowboys have 12 men on the field. 

11:19 p.m. — With 6 minutes left, Mixon makes the first move for a gain of three, and then runs up the side to get inside the Dallas 15. He tries it again for a gain of one, and once more to bring it to 3rd and 4. A conflict breaks out between the teams and several flag are drawn.

11:17 p.m. — At 3rd and 8, Rush can't get away and is sacked in the backfield. Dallas goes for it on 4th and 16, and Autry sacks Rush yet again. Houston's ball. 

11:14 p.m. — At the 30, Rush tosses it to Elliott who runs it up the side and out of bounds to get to 2nd and inches. He then rushes it for the first down, but Tyler Smith also goes down and seeks the medical tent. Rush targets Mingo but the two don't connect, and then the QB finds Elliott for a short gain that brings them to the 50.

11:11 p.m. — Dallas starts at the 10, Rush passes it off, and is then sacked brutally on the next play. Next he scrambles out of his own end zone to land a pass to Schoonmaker for a first down. Cowboys' Zack Martin is down after the play and leaves the field. 

11:09 p.m. — The catch was overturned and called incomplete, bringing Houston to 2nd and 10 in their own territory. Stroud connects with Shultz a few yards short of a first down. At their own 43, Stroud targets Shultz again but Thomas knocks the ball away, and Townsend punts it away.

11:04 p.m. — Stroud starts by running down the sideline and out of bounds at the 40, securing a first down for Houston. He then passes downfield to Collins who makes a diving catch at the Dallas 40, and Mike McCarthy challenges the play. 

11:01 p.m. — Dallas decides to punt at 4th and 20. Houston makes the fair catch and lands on the 25 for their first drive of the fourth quarter.

10:59 p.m. — At 2nd and 10, Rush targets Schoonmaker again and Stingley almost picks it off, but drops it. The QB then tries for Lamb but he drops the pass as well. Nonetheless, the Cowboys go for it on 4th and 10 and Rush scrambles out of pressure to complete a pass to Flournoy — a holding call on the offense brings a replay. 

10:57 p.m. — Townsend punts it for a touchback. Rush connects with Schoonmaker who is hit hard, and a flag is thrown. Pitre is called for unnecessary roughness and Dallas gets a first down. Rush throws the next ball into the ground. 

Texans 27, Cowboys 10

10:52 — TOUCHDOWN HOUSTON! Barnett swats the ball out of Rush's hand as he throws, causing a fumble that he then scoops up and returns for a defensive touchdown. The extra point is good.

10:50 p.m. — Starting at the 7, Rush begins by throwing across the field to Lamb, who makes the catch at the 35. He then connects with Fant, but Lamb is called for an illegal shift, bringing the team backward. At 1st and 15, Dowdle runs it to grab a first down. 

10:49 p.m. — The 59-yard kick is grabbed by Houston at the 10, putting Dallas far down the field for their next drive. 

10:46 p.m. — Picking it up at 2nd and 3, Mixon runs it for two yards. Stroud then makes a pass that's broken up by Butler on the sideline, bringing it to 4th and inches. Townsend comes out to punt the ball.

Third quarter: Texans 20, Cowboys 10

10:40 p.m. — Houston starts at the 20 with two minutes left in the third.  Mixon makes the first run for five yards, and then again for no gain, bringing it to 3rd and 5. With the clock ticking, Stroud connects on a pass to Dell for a first down, and a quick pass to Shultz next results in a gain of seven. The clock expires on the third quarter.

10:38 p.m. — Lamb makes the next catch, keeping his toes in bounds but is just short of the first down. At 4th and 2, Dallas goes for it and throws an incomplete pass to the end zone. A holding flag is called on the Cowboys, ending their drive. 

10:37 p.m. — At the 16, Rush bobbles the snap and falls on the ball to make it 2nd and 15. He then throws it down the middle and bounces it off the hands of Bullock, who nearly intercepts it again! It's 3rd and 15.

10:34 p.m. —Aubrey barely makes a 64-yard kick, but it's taken off the board, as Barnett is called for a head slap personal foul. The Cowboys get a first down at the 31, and Rush connects with Tolbert to get inside the 20. 

10:33 p.m. — It's now 2nd and 20, and Rush gets pressured to throw, an incomplete intended for Schoonmaker. In the next play, the QB is nearly intercepted but Stingley misses it. Aubrey makes his way onto the field.

10:30 p.m. — At the 44, Vaughn carries the next ball for three yards. Spann-Ford then makes a catch from Rush to push the first down for Dallas, into Houston's territory. Rush makes a throw to Lamb who's unable to secure it, which brings it to 2nd and 10. The Cowboys QB throws a long ball intended for Lamb, but the wide receiver is instead called for pass interference, pushing the team back 10 yards.

10:28 p.m. — CeeDee lamb starts the possession with a first down, and then Rush is forced to throw a pass to the ground. At 2nd and 10, Rush connects with Schoonmaker for a Cowboys first down. 

Texans 20, Cowboys 10

10:24 p.m. — FIELD GOAL HOUSTON! Fairbairn makes the kick to bring it to a 10-point game.

10:23 p.m. — Its 2nd and 18. Stroud scrambles and tosses it to Metchie — the two combine for 10 yards. At 3rd and 8, Mixon drops the catch from Stroud and the field goal squad comes out. 

10:20 p.m. — Mixon takes the first ball and runs it for five yards. Stroud then connects with Collins at the 30, who runs it down to the 15. Shultz is pitched the next ball for a small gain of two. Mixon rushes it again for five yards, but a holding call brings the Texans back 10 yards to the 20.

10:18 p.m. — Houston's QB scrambles in the backfield and runs up the sideline for a gain of three. He then lands the ball in Metchie's arms for a first down, marching Houston down the field. 

10:14 p.m. — Woods receives the punt for a fair catch and the Texans start at the 25. Stroud quickly passes it to Dell for a short pickup of four yards. At 2nd and 6, Stroud connects with Dell for a first down at the 40.

10:13 p.m. — Rush hands it off to Dowdle immediately and he gets stuffed for a gain of one. The QB then struggles in the backfield and gets sacked by Hunter for the Texans' first sack on the night. At 3rd and 13, Rush is pressured but gets a pass off to Lamb who gains eight, putting Dallas at 4th and 5. They decide to punt it away.

10:12 p.m. — Townsend starts the half off with a punt and touchback. 

Halftime: Texans 17, Cowboys 10

9:57 p.m. — The offense stays out and Rush throws a hail mary that's caught out of bounds, as time runs out. 

9:53 p.m. — Rush is back at the 20, and Elliott gets his first touch running for six yards. On 2nd and 5, Rush passes to Spann-Ford who runs it for the first down and out of bounds. At the 32, Rush tries Flournoy but it's bobbled and dropped. The next pass is incomplete over the middle, bringing Dallas to 4th and 10. 

9:50 p.m. — Stroud throws an incomplete pass to Collins to start the drive. On 2nd and 10, he tries to connect with Dell but can't, and then is forced to throw the ball away to avoid a sack on third down. Townsend punts the ball away with 40 seconds left, and Turpin makes the fair catch. 

9:49 p.m. — Dallas brings out Aubrey for the kick from 40 yards away, and he hits the right upright, missing the three-point opportunity. Houston's gets the ball deep in their own territory.

9:46 p.m. — On the 40, Rush passes to Flournoy for a first down. He quickly throws the next one to Schoonmaker with 1:10 to go. On 2nd and 9, the quarterback goes for Collins but throws it behind him — third down. Rush scrambles through the middle for a short gain, and it's 4th down.

9:44 p.m. — At 1st and 10, Rush attempts to reach Dowdle across the middle, but it's incomplete. He then connects with Lamb at the 40, bringing it to 3rd and 5. Houston calls their first timeout. 

9:41 p.m. — Rush floats a pass intended for Flournoy, but Houston is called for illegal contact, giving Dallas five yards. With no options, he then downs a throw intentionally. Rush tries to connect with Spann-Ford, but another illegal contact is called on the defense to tack on five more yards. 

9:37 p.m. — Dowdle takes the first ball of the drive, running up the middle for nine yards. He runs it again the next play for a first down. At the 33, Rush tosses it to Schoonmaker who catches it for a gain of eight. Dowdle makes the next reception at 2nd and 2, running it downfield for the first down. He carries the game into the 2 minute warning. 

9:33 p.m. — On 3rd and 10, Stroud throws to Collins who runs it to the 49, but doesn't make the first down. Houston punts it away, bringing Rush back out with just over three minutes left. 

9:30 p.m. — Anger punts it for a touchback with 5:55 left in the half. Stroud starts at the 30 with a toss to Stover, but Dallas is called offsides, pushing Houston to another first down. Stroud's next pass is swatted away by Wilson, bringing it to 2nd and 10. Mixon tries to run it up the middle, but is taken out with no gain. 

Texans 17, Cowboys 10

9:27 p.m. — FIELD GOAL DALLAS! Aubrey knocks it in from 53 feet away. 

9:26 p.m. — At 3rd and 9, Rush's pass is swatted down by Autry in the middle of the field. Aubrey comes out to kick the field goal. 

9:23 p.m. — Rush connects with Schoonmaker over the middle for a gain of six. He then hands it off to Dowdle who is downed for a loss of three. Spann-Ford catches the next play for a first down, but can't make the catch on the next play. Dowdle makes the next catch in the backfield but can't break through, only gaining one.  

9:18 p.m. — Townsend punts it for a touchback, putting Rush at the 30 yard line. He fakes and throws it to Lamb at the 45, for a gain of 13 yards. Denico Autry is down after the play.

Texans 17, Cowboys 7

9:14 p.m. — FIELD GOAL HOUSTON! Dallas calls a timeout and the Texans get backed up for a delay of game, bringing Fairbairn to 33 yards for the field goal.

9:12 p.m. — At the 16, Stroud hesitates then throws it to Stover, who brings them to 2nd and 7. Dell runs it inside the 10 for a gain of five. Stroud tosses it to Mixon, who is tackled by Hooker for a loss of two. The field goal unit comes out.

9:09 p.m. — Stroud connects with Shultz for another first down off rip. Mixon gets the ball on the next play, but makes no gain. The Houston QB then lobs it to the running back again, who runs it to Dallas' 30. An illegal low block is called on Overshown to push the Texans up 15 more yards.

9:07 p.m. — Stroud hands it off to Mixon who runs for nine yards. A flag is thrown on the field, as Mixon then false starts, bringing the team back five yards. At 2nd and 6, Woods makes a catch to get the first down. 

9:02 p.m. — Anger punts it and Pierce drops it on the reception, eventually falling on the ball inside his own 10 yard line. Marquise Bell is hurt after the play, and is walked to the medical tent with a supposed arm injury.

Texans 14, Cowboys 7

9:01 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS! Turpin catches a pass from Rush and takes it 64 yards to the house. The extra point is good, and Dallas has cut Houston's lead in half.

8:59 p.m. — CeeDee Lamb false starts and brings the Cowboys back five yards to make it 3rd and 10. Rush connects with Turpin who runs it all the way back! A hands to the face penalty is called but declined.

First quarter: Texans 14, Cowboys 0

8:54 p.m. — Townsend punts it with 49 seconds left on the clock. Turpin runs it back to the 35. Rush starts the drive with a throw to Lamb, who's short of the first down. It's run down the middle for no gain to end the quarter.

Texans 14, Cowboys 0

8:51 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN TEXANS! Mixon easily runs it in for his second touchdown of the night. Fairbairn's extra point is good. 

8:49 p.m. — Mixon rushes once more and is down right before the goal line.

8:47 p.m. — Stroud quickly tosses it to Collins but he's brought down for a three yard gain. Mixon runs it up the middle for five yards, and then again, but he's short on both. Houston decides to go for it on fourth down and Mixon runs it once more, but he's tackled at the 1 yard line. 

8:45 p.m. — Stroud rips a pass to Collins for the first down, and next to Dell for 26 yards, but illegal contact is called and denied, bringing Houston to the 19 for a first down. 

8:43 p.m. — Stroud hands it off to Pierce for the first play of the drive. At 2nd and 8, he throws it to Shultz but doesn't connect, bringing it to 3rd and 8. Offsides is called on the play as Stroud throws it out of bounds, bringing Houston up five yards.

8:39 p.m. — HOUSTON INTERCEPTION! Derek Stingley comes in between and keeps Dallas from converting yet again. 

8:37 p.m. — Rush tosses it to Ferguson who runs for a first down, and in the next play Lamb runs 13 yards for another. The QB then gives it to Dowdle, who's tackled for loss. At 2nd and 12, Dowdle gets it again for a gain of four, putting Dallas at 3rd and 8.

8:34 p.m. — DALLS INTERCEPTS IT! Malik Hooker grabs it on the next play to prevent a 4th and 3 conversion by Houston.

8:32 p.m. — Stroud scrambles inside the 35, and in the next play is sacked by Odighizuwa for a loss of seven. In trouble, Stroud lobs it for a gain of 11, but is just short of a first. 

8:31 p.m. — FAILED FAKE PUNT! Dallas attempts a fake punt but Thomas is tackled short of the first down, giving Houston the ball in deep Cowboys territory. 

8:30 p.m. — Rush misses a connection in the backfield and the play is called dead, —luckily for Dallas — its 2nd and 10. He then hands it off for no gain. Rush targets Tolbert but can't connect.

8:27 p.m. — A holding flag is thrown and a brawl breaks out on Turpin's punt return. Rush starts inside the 20. He hands it off first, for a gain of three. Rush then throws it to Lamb, who runs for a gain of 11 and a first down. 

Texans 7, Cowboys 0

8:22 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN HOUSTON! Mixon runs it in to put the first points on the board! A flag is called on the extra point and Houston backs up five yards, but then Fairbairn makes it through the uprights. 

8:21 p.m. — Stroud gets a toss to Mitchie to cross into Dallas territory. Mixon gets handed the ball and breaks through to score!

8:18 p.m. — It's 1st and 15. Stroud gives it to Mixon, but there's a holding call on Dallas' Mazi Smith, giving Houston an automatic first down. Stroud now tosses it for a gain of seven, and then misses a connection with Dell to make it 3rd and 3. A throw connects with Shultz for the first down.

8:17 p.m. — Anger kicks it off and it's run back to the 23. Stroud starts out with a pass to Collins and he breaks through the tackle to run it all the way back! It's called back by an ineligible man down the field resulting in a five yard penalty. 

8:16 p.m. — Houston has won the toss and will take the ball to start the game. Dallas will kick things off at AT&T. 

Pregame

8 p.m. — It's almost time. Will Cooper Rush turn things around for Dallas or will C.J. Stroud lead the Texans to victory in his first ever 'Monday Night Football' appearance? Stay tuned to find out. 

7:15 p.m. — There's an hour left until the Lone Star showdown kicks off, but The Sporting News has been covering the game for the past week. Here are some headlines to catch up on while you wait:

7 p.m. — Both Houston and Dallas have officially announced their inactive players for the night.

A huge win for the Cowboys — wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will be active tonight despite initially being marked questionable with back pain. Linebacker Micah Parsons will also be on the field after making his return from the injured reserve last week. 

In big news for the Texans, star wideout Nico Collins is officially back on the field after missing five games with a hamstring injury. Pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. is out once again, still nursing an ankle injury. 

6:25 p.m. — The scene is set in Arlington. The retractable roof was opened at 'Jerry World' for the first time in two years, but was closed shortly after due to a piece of the roof falling onto the field below. 

6:05 p.m. — We are just over two hours from kickoff at AT&T Stadium. Both teams are undoubtedly hungry for a victory coming into this rivalry, as the Texans are mourning back-to-back losses and the Cowboys are still on the hunt for their first home win of the season.

Cowboys vs. Texans start time

  • Date: Monday, Nov. 18
  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CT)

Monday's game between the Cowboys and Texans is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. local time) from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

What channel is Cowboys vs. Texans on today?

Cowboys vs. Texans will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentary) and Lisa Salters (sideline reporter) will be on the call from Arlington.

Cord-cutters can live stream the game with Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial for all new users. 

Viewers in Canada can live stream the game with NFL Game Pass International on DAZN, which carries every NFL game.

Monday Night Football schedule 2024

WeekDateMatchup/Result
19/949ers 32, Jets 19
29/16Falcons 22, Eagles 21
39/23Bills 47, Jaguars 10
39/23Commanders 38, Bengals 33
49/30Titans 31, Dolphins 12
49/30Lions 42, Seahawks 29
510/7Chiefs 26, Saints 13
610/14Bills 23, Jets 20
710/21Ravens 41, Buccaneers 31
710/21Cardinals 17, Chargers 15
810/28Steelers 26, Giants 18
911/4Chiefs 30, Buccaneers 24 (OT)
1011/11Dolphins 23, Rams 15
1111/18Texans at Cowboys
1211/25Ravens at Chargers
1312/2Browns at Broncos
1412/9Bengals at Cowboys
1512/16Bears at Vikings
1512/16Falcons at Raiders
1612/23Saints at Packers
1712/30Lions at 49ers

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Cate Schiller

Cate Schiller Photo

Cate Schiller is an editorial intern for The Sporting News affiliate and commercial content team, focused on global partnerships supporting live events, entertainment and travel. Originally from Northern California, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a bachelor's degree in journalism and sports communications. Prior to joining The Sporting News, Cate was the Life and Style editor at her college newspaper, and a sports reporter at her hometown newspaper. In her free time, she enjoys baking, getting outdoors and discovering new music.