The Cowboys overcame two costly turnovers and some poor kickoff coverage to beat the Houston Texans 23-22 on Friday night. Houston nearly took the lead after scoring with just over two minutes left in the game, but Dallas broke up Houston’s two-point conversion.
Dallas played its offensive starters for the entire first half, and for the most part, the team looked sharp. Tony Romo completed 15 of 19 passes for 166 yards. He had a touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton to finish of the first offensive drive of the game, but he threw an interception on a 3rd-and-goal play from the Houston one-yard-line early in the second quarter with the Cowboys leading 10-3.
Marion Barber had a very strong outing, rushing 13 times for 75 yards. He scored a touchdown near the end of the first half. Here’s a shot of it:
The defense had some very good moments. Houston had trouble moving the ball at all in the first quarter, but the Texans gained some momentum after the Romo interception. Marcus Spears had a solid game. The Cowboys, though, missed several tackles. Roy Williams was pushed to the ground by Steve Slaton, allowing the Houston running back to gain 13 yards inside the red zone.
Here are my game notes, in the form of mini-headlines:
Cowboys vs. Texas: Mini-Headlines
First Quarter
Where’s the Kickoff Coverage?
On the opening kickoff, Houston’s Andre Davis ran right up the middle of the field for 68 yards. The hole appeared to be 10 yards wide. The Dallas defense was able to hold, however, and the Texans settled for a field goal.
Picking on Jacques Reeves
On the Cowboys’ first possession, Dallas picked on former teammate Jacques Reeves. Romo hit Patrick Crayton for a six-yard touchdown pass right in front of Reeves, giving Dallas a 7-3 lead.
Pacman Chews Up Return Yards
After Dallas stopped Houston on three downs, Adam Jones found a gap and returned a punt 18 yards.
Romo Overthrows T.O.
After the Pacman return, Dallas drove to the Houston 35. Romo had Owens wide open along the left sideline but overthrew him. Dallas had to settle for a field goal to take a 10-3 lead.
Second Quarter
Romo’s Pick
Dallas moved the ball very efficiently during the first quarter. After moving the ball to the Houston one-yard-line, Romo rolled out to his right, trying to hit Tony Curtis. He instead found linebacker Zach Diles, who picked off the pass before running out of bounds in the end zone.
Stat Note
After the Romo interception, Dallas had run 21 plays for 146 yards. Houston had run 13 plays for 10 yards. Between the Texans’ opening drive and the beginning of Houston’s first drive of the second quarter, Schaub had seven consecutive incompletions.
Dallas Defense Turns Soft
Houston responded to the interception by moving the ball 80 yards on 12 plays in 6:17 to tie the game at 10-10. Tight end Owen Daniels caught a 19-yard pass, and running back Steve Slanton broke a 20-yard run during the drive.
The Dallas Offense Responds
Dallas got the ball at its own 32 with 7:47 remaining in the half and moved the ball effectively into the red zone. Romo hit Crayton for a 22-yard gain, and Dallas converted a 3rd-and-2 when Romo hit Deon Anderson for a 12-yard completion. Marion Barber’s one-yard touchdown gave Dallas a 17-10 lead.
Defense Holds During Two Minute Drill
The Texans moved from their own 20 to the Dallas 42 inside the two-minute warning. DeMarcus Ware got pressure on Matt Schaub on a 3rd-and-3 play to break it up.
Two-Minute Offense Nets Field Goal
Dallas moved the ball 52 yards in the final 30 seconds of the first half to get into field goal range. Folk’s second field gave Dallas a 20-10 halftime lead.
Stat Note
Dallas had only two possessions in the second quarter but gained 120 yards on 16 plays. In the first half, Dallas had 266 yards on 37 plays (7.2 yards per play). Houston gained 128 yards on 32 plays (4.0 yards per play).
Third Quarter
Stanback Fumbles
Isaiah Stanback fumbled the second half kickoff, giving Houston the ball in Dallas territory.
Slaton Runs Over Roy Williams
After the fumble, Slaton ran the ball around the right corner. Roy Williams had the angle, but Slaton pushed Williams off like a bug. The Texans moved the ball to the Dallas 5 but could not punch it in. A Houston field goal cut the Dallas lead to 20-13.
Felix Jones Fumbles
The Cowboys drove the ball well after the Houston field goal, thanks in no small part to a 29-yard catch-and-run by tight end Martellus Bennett. However, Dallas suffered it second turnover inside the Houston 10-yard line when rookie Felix Jones fumbled the ball on a first down play from the Houston eight. Mario Williams stripped the ball.
Fourth Quarter
More Soft Defense
Houston moved the ball from its own 6 to the Dallas 11, but the drive stalled there. Another Kris Brown field goal cut the Dallas lead to 20-16.
Defense Holds
After the Houston field goal, Dallas was unable to move the ball. Houston got the ball at its own 11 and moved the ball to the Houston 42. The drive stalled from there.
Big Catches by Amendola and Jefferson
Mike Jefferson had a tough stretch in the fourth quarter. Brad Johnson tried to get the ball to Jefferson on three occasions, but Jefferson dropped one and two others were broken up. With 7:26 left, Johnson found Amendola down the middle of the field for a 35-yard gain to get Dallas into Houston territory. On the next play, Jefferson made a very impressive catch on a fade route. The two plays helped Dallas get into position for a field goal that gave the Cowboys a 23-16 lead.
Another Breakdown in Kickoff Coverage
After the Dallas field goal, Jacoby Jones returned the Dallas kickoff 52 yards to the Dallas 44. Houston moved the ball into Dallas territory, thanks in part to a pass interference call on Pat Watkins.
Dallas Can’t Contain Sage Rosenfels
Houston backup Sage Rosenfels isn’t know for his scrambling, but on a 3rd-and-goal from the Dallas 8, he ran a QB draw to the left side of the line. With nobody in the middle to contain him, Rosenfels dove into the end zone for a touchdown.
Two Point Conversion Failed
Trailing 23-22, Houston went for two points. Rosenfels tried to hit Jones, but Jones was unable to make the catch.
Defensive Holding Call Lets Dallas Close Out the Game
Dallas got the ball back at the two minute warning, and Houston had all three of its time outs. On a 3rd-and-11 play with 1:54 left, Brad Johnson appeared to be sacked by Anthony Maddox, but Derrick Roberson was called for defensive holding. Dallas was able to kill the clock, giving the Cowboys their first win of the 2008 preseason.
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