That’s more like the Houston Texans fans expected to see in 2024.
Behind a three-touchdown performance from running back Joe Mixon, the Texans secured bragging rights in the Lone Star State with a 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football.”
Mixon, who’s averaged 101.3 yards per game over his last five outings, finished with 109 rushing yards and 53 total yards while helping Houston break its nine-quarter drought without a touchdown in the second half.
“Joe, when he’s on, he’s a force for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The run game starts with our offensive line. I challenged them to play fast, play aggressive. I thought they did a really nice job. I really like the way we just kept churning it in the run game, and proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge.”
Mixon tied a Texans single-game record for rushing touchdowns, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat. He also secured his 10 rushing touchdown of the season, which marks the highest number of rushing scores by a Texans player since Arian Foster in 2012.
The 24-point victory margin was the Texans’ largest win since a 31-point swing over the Cleveland Browns during last year’s postseason run. It was also Houston’s most lop-sided victory over the Cowboys in seven meetings dating back to its inaugural season.
To emphasize how Houston looked, the Texans’ defense scored as many points as Dallas’ offense in one drive compared to 60 minutes. Defensive end Derek Barnett strip-sacked Cooper Rush in the fourth quarter, but the ball was recovered by Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.
The rookie left tackle was then stripped by safety Jalen Pitre, landing in Barnett’s hands en route to the end zone for a 28-yard scoop-and-score.
“They flipped the momentum and got everybody juiced up on the sideline. It was just a huge play,” Ryans said.
Here’s the snap count from Monday night’s success:
#Texans snap counts and stats from 34-10 win over #Cowboys @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/pc7Rbt1zsw
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 19, 2024
Offensive snaps: 64
Defensive snaps: 83
Special teams snaps: 18
Nico Collins, who returned for the first time since Week 5 and finished with four catches for 54 yards, played only 32 snaps. John Metchie III, who caught three passes for 33 yards, finished second among receivers with 39 snaps while Tank Dell was credited with 41.
Mixon, who now ranks eighth overall in rushing yards despite missing three games, saw action on 81% of reps and finished with 153 total yards. Tight end Dalton Schultz was credited with 48 snaps while Cade Stover saw action on 45% of plays.
Defensively, Calen Bullock totaled his fourth straight game with 100% of reps. Derek Stingley Jr, who intercepted Rush and broke up a pair of passes intended for CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert, played 74 snaps along with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
The Texans return home next week to face off against the Tennessee Titans in an AFC South showdown. They could have back defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who’s missed the previous two games while dealing with an ankle injury.
Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.
