OVERALL
The Texans went to Arlington as 17-point underdogs and almost pulled off the biggest upset of the NFL season.
They played as well as they could have played on both sides of the ball and on special teams. They led 23-20 early in the fourth quarter before coming unraveled.
The Cowboys scored a touchdown and field goal to escape AT&T Stadium with a four-point victory that elevated their winning streak to four. The Texans remain the worst team in the league.
Grade: B
Quarterbacks
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton had a terrific game plan that utilized quarterbacks Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel.
They played just about as well as possible against Dallas’ defense that entered the game ninth, allowing 309.6 yards a game. The Cowboys also had 48 sacks, and the Texans didn’t allow them to get one.
In his return to the lineup, Mills threw for 175 yards and had one interception. Driskel threw a touchdown pass and ran for 36 yards.
Grade: C
Running backs
Before he was injured and had to leave the game in the fourth quarter, Dameon Pierce ran 22 times for 78 yards and a touchdown. The Texans had nothing behind him, a big reason they got stuffed at the Cowboys’ goal line with a chance to put away the game in the fourth quarter.
Grade: B-minus
Wide receivers
With starters Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins out with injuries, the quarterbacks had to rely on Chris Moore, Phillip Dorsett and Amari Rodgers.
They combined for 16 catches and 200 yards. Moore was outstanding with 10 receptions for 124 yards. In his first action since being claimed on waivers, Rodgers had four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Grade: B
Tight ends
Jordan Akins was the only tight end with a catch, one for 5 yards. The tight ends weren’t involved in the game plan.
Grade: F
Offensive line
Laremy Tunsil continues to have an exceptional season. The linemen didn’t allow a sack against a defense with a league-best 48 and the top pressure rate. The run blocking was good at times and bad at others.
Grade: B
Defensive line
Ogbo Okoronkwo and Maliek Collins played terrific games, slowing the Cowboys running game and pressuring Dak Prescott. They limited the Cowboys to 127 yards rushing – 62 by Zeke Elliott and 42 by Tony Pollard. Okoronkwo had a strip sack and two tackles for loss.
Grade: B
Linebackers
The Texans played their most physical game of the season. Led by Christian Kirksey’s 10 tackles and Christian Harris’ hard hitting, they got after Dallas’ running game and applied a lot of pressure on the passer.
Grade: B
Secondary
It’s hard to imagine the secondary playing better. Tremon Smith had two interceptions, Desmond King II two tackles for loss. Jalen Pitre had a team-high 12 tackles. Jonathan Owens saved a TD pass in the end zone with a prodigious hit.
Grade: B
Special teams
Blake Cashman recovered a muffed punt in the first quarter to set up the Texans’ first touchdown that tied the score 7-7. Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked field goals of 50 and 54 yards. Cam Johnston had a gross average of 49.3 and a net of 47. He also put one at the Cowboys’ 1-yard line.
Grade: A-minus
Coaching
Lovie Smith, Pep Hamilton and Frank Ross almost pulled off a monumental upset. Even though the Texans lost to one of the best teams in the league, it’s doubtful they could have played better. Kudos to the coaches.
Grade: B-minus
Related
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes three times a week and does three Houtopia Podcasts a week for SportsRadio610. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com.