The Houston Texans' 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night was a statement victory, marking their first-ever win against Dallas in franchise history and snapping a two-game losing streak. Here are the key takeaways from the game, highlighting both the Texans' triumph and the Cowboys' ongoing struggles.

### Houston Texans (7-4)


**Pivotal Play:**

The Texans' defense sealed the victory early in the fourth quarter with a bizarre strip sack touchdown. Defensive end Derek Barnett caused the fumble, and while Cowboys right tackle Tyler Guyton attempted to recover the ball and run for the first down, safety Jalen Pitre knocked the ball loose. Barnett scooped up the fumble and sprinted into the end zone for a touchdown, making the score 27-10 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

**Surprising Performance:**

Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. stepped up in a big way, shadowing All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb for a majority of the game. Stingley limited Lamb to just two catches for 19 yards, intercepted a pass, and broke up two others. His performance was a key factor in neutralizing one of the Cowboys' biggest offensive threats, as Cooper Rush struggled to find rhythm when targeting Stingley.

**Troubling Trend:**

The Texans' penalty issues continued to plague them, as they were flagged for nine penalties totaling 69 yards. A big play, a 77-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, was nullified due to an illegal man downfield penalty on left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Another penalty, a holding call on left guard Juice Scruggs, stalled a promising drive early in the third quarter. These mistakes could prove costly as the team pushes toward the postseason.

**Next Game:**  

Houston will look to build on this momentum as they face the Tennessee Titans (2-8) next Sunday at home.


---

### Dallas Cowboys (3-7)


**Troubling Trend #1:**

The Cowboys' defense, which has been a significant weakness this season, gave up a 45-yard touchdown run to Joe Mixon on just the second play of the game. That run, which was the longest allowed by the Cowboys' defense this season, was a major red flag given their struggles against the run. Big plays, especially long touchdowns, have been a consistent issue for Dallas in 2024.

**Troubling Trend #2:**

The Cowboys' offense, led by backup quarterback Cooper Rush in place of the injured Dak Prescott, showed limited effectiveness. While Rush threw for 354 yards, much of that yardage came in garbage time as the Cowboys were playing catch-up. The Texans sacked Rush five times and intercepted him once, with the turning point coming in the fourth quarter when Rush fumbled on a strip sack that was returned for a touchdown. It highlighted the Cowboys' inability to execute in critical moments, particularly with their backup quarterback under duress.

**Injury Concerns:**

Dallas' offensive line also suffered significant injuries in the game. Guards Zack Martin and Tyler Smith were both lost during the contest, further exacerbating the team's struggles. The injuries to key players on both sides of the ball are adding to the Cowboys' woes as they face an uphill battle to turn around their season.

**Coaching and Leadership:**

After the game, owner Jerry Jones expressed frustration but also some level of perspective, recalling rough seasons from the past. Despite the Cowboys' position near the bottom of the NFC East and their mounting losses, Jones maintains that the players still believe in head coach Mike McCarthy. However, McCarthy’s job security remains in question, especially with the team on pace for a top-10 pick in next year’s draft and a season spiraling out of control.


**Next Game:**  

Dallas will host the Washington Commanders next Sunday in a must-win game to salvage some pride and keep any slim playoff hopes alive.


---

### Conclusion:

For the Texans, Monday’s win was a major step forward, particularly in the absence of star receiver Nico Collins for much of the season. They are now in prime position to secure a playoff spot with a favorable schedule ahead. For the Cowboys, the road ahead looks much bleaker. With key injuries and no clear answer at quarterback, Dallas needs a lot of things to break their way to salvage the season, and changes could be on the horizon if the struggles continue.