Official Texans @ Cowboys Game Thread, 10/5/2014
 

The 3-1 Texans travel up to AT&T stadium in Dallas this Sunday to take on the 3-1 Cowboys in an early game. The Texans are coming off a home win over the Bills 23-17. The Cowboys are coming off a 38-17 shellacking of the Saints on SNF.

The Texans jumped up 7 spots to #13 in the Week 5 ESPN power rankings. The Cowboys moved up 8 spots to #10.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), Sunday, noon, Oct 5

Announcers = Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

The line = Cowboys (now) by 6 to 7

The public loves the Cowboys here but Dallas hasn't been too hot as a home favorite in the new stadium. The Texans might be the pick to, at least, cover the points. If the Cowboys convincingly throttle the Texans, then they would appear to be a real contender and seemingly playoff-bound....

To win, the Texans will need to:

a) limit turnovers.
b) establish the run game.
c) play against "Bad Romo" instead of "Good Romo".

Failure to do any of those three and I think they'll lose.

Texans seem to have a lot of guys fairly bruised and sat out practice today
Wednesday (10/1/14)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
CB A.J. Bouye Groin
T Duane Brown Knee
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Knee
LB Brian Cushing Knee
RB Arian Foster Hamstring
DE Tim Jamison Groin
WR Andre Johnson Ankle
G Ben Jones Knee
P Shane Lechler L. Hip
CB Darryl Morris Ankle
S Eddie Pleasant Ankle
DE J.J. Watt Thigh

I expect a close well played game and perhaps Texans can win the turn over battle.

Seems the Texans and Cowboys have a very similar schedule and strength of schedule for this year.

So, how is Texans OL doing so far?

Overall not bad, but seems to me they could do a better job opening holes for the run game, giving Fitz a little more time for passes, and reducing penalties,

Looks like almost no substituions going in along the OL so far.

Houston scout blog site had these stats so far through four games:
Duane Brown Ben Jones Chris Myers Brandon Brooks Derek Newton
QB Hits 5 1 0 0 2
QB Hit/Snap 54.2 273.0 N/a N/a 136.5
QB Hurries 6 6 3 3 7
QB Hurries/Snap 45.2 45.5 91 91 39
QB Sacks 0 1 1 0 0
Snaps 271 273 273 273 273
Penalties 4 0 2 4 1

Texans offensive line penalties }

Duane Brown (4) Offensive Pass interference, False Start, Unnecessary Roughness, Offside on Free Kick

Brandon Brooks (4) False Start, Illegal Use of Hands, Chop Block, Holding

Chris Myers (2) Holding x 2

Derek Newton (1) Offensive Holding

Saw a tweet on Friday that Foster was listed as probable and AJ was listed as questionable. Clowney is out for this game and the Colts game Thursday. Expected to return after that.

Ya, Cowboys today, Colts on Thursday. The Ravens, playing the Colts today, look pretty formidable so far and might just beat the Colts.

After the Thursday game against the Colts, it's 10-11 days till the Texans play the Steelers on MNF. After that, no mo' prime time - noon starts the rest of the year...

Here we go...

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Manning downs the kickoff in the end zone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

Flag presnap. False start on Fido, -5. 1st and 15 coming up.

Foster for no gain.

Pass to Hopkins good for almost 5. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Fitz is pressured and throws it away, inc. Texans have to punt.

Cowboys bring the punt back to their 36 yard line. Cowboy's ball. Flag down against the Cowboys on the return. Ball at the Cowboy 9 yard line.

Murray for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Bryant is ruled inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Dumpoff to Murray goes inc. Cowboys will have to punt.

K Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 40. Texan's ball.

Quick pass to Griffin goes for 8.

Pass to AJ over the middle goes inc. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Pass to AJ goes for 12 and the 1st down at the Cowboy 40.

Oy, Fitz throws the INT in the flat. Cowboys take over at their 34 yard line.

11:12 left in the 1st qtr.

Murray for 5.

Pass to Beasley good for 4.

On 3rd and 1, Murray plows for 5.

Murray for 1.

Romo hits Harris for 18 and a 1st down.

Murray for 5. Ball at the Texan 28.

Romo sacked by Cushing! Brings up 3rd and 13.

Pass to Bryant goes for 14 and the 1st down.

Screen to Harris gets 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Murray gets 5. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Murray coughs it up! Recovered by Tuggle! Texan's ball at the Cowboy 14.

Foster for 2.

Pass to Hopkins gets 7. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Foster gets the 1 for the 1st down.

Foster for about 14.

Foster for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Fitz scrambles for about 7 but flag on B Jones for holding. Makes it 2nd and 17 coming up.

Pass is tipped and goes inc. 3rd and 17 coming up.

Draw to Foster goes for about 14..... Texans will have to punt.

Harris brings the ball back to about the Cowboy 29 but holding on the Cowboys places the ball at the Cowboy 6.

22 seconds left in the 1st qtr.

Watt getting doubled regularly. Kareem looked like he took a stinger to his shoulder tackling Dez Bryant.

Not sure about Romeo choosing to drop 9 into coverage on Romo... he can be rattled.

Pass to Bryant gets 2.

End of the 1st qtr.

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On 2nd and 8, pass to Williams bounces inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Pass to Witten gets 9 and the 1st down.

Murray gets 5 up the gut.

Pass to Murray off his hands, inc. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Dumpoff to Murray gets 10 and the 1st down.

Murray goes left for 9. 2nd and 1 coming up. Ball at the Cowboy 42.

Randle(?) for 2 and the 1st down.

Randle for 2.

On 2nd an 8, Romo dumps off to Witten for a gain of 4. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Bryant too high, inc. Cowboys will have to punt from midfield.

K Martin brings the punt back to the Texan 11. Texan's ball.

Blue for 4.

Blue for 5. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Fitz sneaks for the 2 and a 1st down.

Pass to AJ off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins gets 5 but flag down.....D Brown downfield (ineligible), -5. Makes it 2nd and 15 coming up.

Screen to AJ just gets 3. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Flags presnap.... Delay of game on the Texans, -5. Makes it 3rd and 17 coming up.

Foster gets 3 or 4 on the draw. Texans will have to punt.

Punt is returned and fumbled! Texans recover! Blue on the recovery. Illegal block in the back on Cowboys is declined. Texan's ball at the Cowboy 43.

Gotta take advantage of these TO's....

Pass to AJ down the sideline inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Screen to Hopkins only goes for 2. 3rd and 8 coming up at the Cowboy 41.

Pass over the middle to D Johnson goes inc. Texans to punt.

Punt goes into the end zone, touchback. Cowboy's ball at their 20.

4:48 left in the half.

Pass to Williams goes for 28.

Murray for 7.

Murray for about 6. Ball at the Texan 39.

Murray for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

2 minute warning.

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Screen to Beasley goes for 8 and the 1st down.

Murray plows for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Bryant gets 2. 3rd and 4 coming up. Ball at the Texan 21. Timeout Cowboys at the 1:01 mark.

Romo's pass to Beasley good for 8 and the 1st down at the Texan 13.

Flags presnap. False start, Cowboys, -5. 1st and 15 coming up. Cowboys use a timeout (#2) w/35 seconds left in the half.

Romo's pass is dropped by Williams near the goal line.

On 2nd and 15, dumpoff pass to Murray gets maybe 3. Cowboys use their last timeout with 23 seconds left in the half.

On 3rd and 12, pass in the endzone to Williams broken up by Hal, inc. Cowboys to go for the FG.

Bailey's 33 yard FG is good.

Cowboys 3, Texans 0

11 seconds left in the half.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

Texans kneel it.

Halftime.

I still can't figure out if I'm watching a bad good team or a good bad team with these Texans. I keep thinking the score should be worse than it is almost every week and yet we are still in this. Three points down on the road - we just need a couple of big plays if we can get them.

Halftime stats:

Passing: 6/13, 36 yards, 1 INT

Rushing: Foster 7/40, Blue 2/9

Receiving: AJ 2/14, Hopkins 3/14, Griffin 1/8

Tackles: KJ 7, JJo 4, Swearinger/Tuggle/Cush 3 each, Lewis/Reed/Tarpinian/Mercilus 2 each

1st downs: Texans 4, Cowboys 10

Time of possession: Texans 12:22, Cowboys 17:38

Total yards: Texans 86, Cowboys 165

3rd down efficiency: Texans 3/7, Cowboys 5/9

Red zone: Texans 0/0, Cowboys 0/2

Penalties: Texans 4/25, Cowboys 3/21

Turnovers: Texans 1, Cowboys 2

You're watching a great defense and a bad offense.

The Texans need to pound the ball more. The Cowboys are suspect vs the run, and the team seems too happy to keep letting Fitzpatrick throw behind his receivers.

2nd half kickoff sails out of the end zone, touchback. Cowboy's ball at their 20.

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Murray for about 3.

Pass to Bryant good for 4. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Pass to Beasley gets the 3 and the 1st down.

Murray for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Williams off the mark, inc. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Deep ball to Bryant sails over his head, inc. Cowboys will have to punt.

K Martin brings the punt back to about the Texan 29. Texan's ball.

Pound, pound.

TD Foster!

Foster for 5.

Foster for 2. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Fitz hits Hop for 12 and the 1st down.

Foster for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up. Ball in Cowboy territory.

Foster busts one for 33! Ball at the Cowboy 15.

Foster plows it in from 15! Touchdown!

Texans 7, Cowboys 3

8:49 left in the 3rd qtr.

The ensuing kickoff is brought out to about the Cowboy 22. Cowboy's ball.

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Dumpoff to Murray gets 5. JJo injured on the play.

On 2nd and 5, Murray gets 4 but flag down. Holding on the Cowboys, -10. Makes it 2nd and 15 coming up.

Romo's pass to Witten complete for 34 yards. Ball at midfield.

Murray for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Romo's deep pass to Williams in the end zone goes for the TD. Dang, Watt missed the sack, Lewis fall down in coverage....

Cowboys 10, Texans 7

6:08 left in the 3rd qtr.

The ensuing kickoff is downed by Manning in the end zone. Texan's ball at their 20.

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Foster caught for -1.

Foster gets loose for a nice gainer (18 yards) but Brooks was holding. Makes it 2nd and 21.

Blue for 1. 3rd and 20 coming up.

Screen to AJ goes for 14. Texans will have to punt.

Cowboys bring the punt back to their 39 yard line. Cowboy's ball.

It's just absolutely mind boggling that both OGs have been called for killer penalties yet the 33rd overall pick is standing around on the sideline making as much impact on the game as I am. What do we have to show from the draft, Andre Hal? Disgusting.

Murray for 8. 2nd and 2 coming up. About 3 minutes left in the 3rd qtr.

Murray for 10 and a 1st down.

Murray for 2.

Pass to Bryant goes for 11 and the 1st down.

Murray TFL'ed by Swearinger. Makes it 2nd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Witten gets 12 and the 1st down at the Texan 20.

End of the 3rd qtr.

Murray for no gain. Brings up 2nd and 10.

Lewis with the INT! Texans get the ball at their 8 yard line!

Foster for maybe 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Foster for 2. Brings up 3rd and 6.

Dumpoff to Graham only gets 4. Texans will have to punt.

Harris brings the punt all the way back to the Texan 30. Cowboy's ball.

Murray goes right side for 17. Ball at the Texan 13.

Murray for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Murray gets 5. 1st and goal at the Texan 2.

Bryant pushes off for the TD pass from Romo.

Cowboys 17, Texans 7

9:44 left in the game.

The ensuing kickoff is brought out by Manning to the Texan 13. Texan's ball.

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Foster for 11.

Foster for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Pass to AJ goes to the 40 yard line for a 1st down.

Foster sweeps left for 3.

Pass to Hopkins goes to the Cowboy 39. 1st down.

Foster for no gain.

Dumpoff to Foster only gets 1. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pass to K Martin goes for aobut 5. Texans to go for it on 4th and 4.

Pass to Foster goes for 16 and the 1st down at the Cowboy 17.

Blue for 4. About 3.5 minutes left in the game.

Fitz scrambles for 1. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Fitz's pass off the mark, inc. Texans to go for the FG.

Bullock's 29-yarder is good but just 2:27 left in the game.

Cowboys 17, Texans 10

The ensuing Texan's kickoff is downed in the end zone, touchback. Cowboy's ball at their 20.

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Murray for 1. Timeout Texans (#1). 2:23 left in the game.

Delay of game on the Cowboys, -5. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Screen to Harris goes for 8. 3rd and 6 coming up. Texans use timeout #2.

Romo's pass sails inc down the sideline. Flag down on Romo for intentional grounding. Cowboys will have to punt from their end zone w/2:10 remaining.

K Martin brings the punt back to the Cowboy 45.

2 minute warning.

Screen to AJ goes for 20.

Pass to Hopkins goes to the 6 yard line.

Foster to the 1. 2nd and goal at the 1.

Foster punches it in!

Texans 17, Cowboys 17

41 seconds left in the game.

Bullock's ensuing kickoff is brought out to the Cowboy 17. Cowboy's ball.

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Dumpoff to Murray goes for 8. 29 seconds left in the game.

Dumpoff to Murray goes for 16. 23 seconds left in the game.

Screen to Bryant is dropped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Murray goes for 15. Ball at the Texan 45. 12 seconds left in the game.

Pass to Bryant goes for 8. Ball at the Texan 37. 7 seconds left in the game.

Murray for 2. 3 seconds left. Cowboys use their last timeout. Cowboys to attempt the 53 yard FG.

Texans use their last timeout.

Bailey's 53-yarder is no good.....Eheh.

Let's go to OT....

Didn't care much for that prevent D in the Cowboys' final drive of regulation, but final result was a long, missed field goal.

Nice to see all the Battle Red in the stands in Arlington.

Texans win the toss in OT and will receive.

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The kickoff sails out of the end zone, touchback. Texans will have the ball at their 20.

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Foster pops loose for 24.

Foster for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up. Ball at midfield.

Blue for 2. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Pass to Foster goes inc. Texans will punt.

Punt is touched at the 20 yard line but holding on the Cowboys backs it up more. Cowboys will have the ball at their 9.5 yard line.

Murray for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Bryant gets 4. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Murray gets 11 and the 1st down. Ball at the Cowboy 30.

Romo's pass off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Timeout Dallas.

Murray for 1. Brings up 3rd and 9.

Jeez, Romo throws it up for grabs and Bryant comes down with it. Big gainer. Ball at the Texan 31.

Murray for no gain.

Murray for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 10. Bailey on for the FG on 3rd down.

Bailey's 49-yarder is good.

Final score:

Cowboys 20, Texans 17

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Dang, a winnable game slips away.......

The team has to blitz to get any sort of pass rush and the secondary is vulnerable. The OLBs are invisible and the injuries to the secondary have really hurt.

On the bright side Foster ran a lot better against a good defense than I thought he would.

Year after year after year of terrible drafts is impossible to overcome.

Chuck, the roster is turned over when a new staff arrives. Recent bad drafts may have helped Kubiak get fired (yay!), but they have little to do with today. This year's draft is the only truly relevant one to this team. Clowney's absence when we continue to get nothing from our OLB is rough. If he isn't healthy and having an impact this year, we blew the pick. Fitzpatrick's incompetence is an issue with the draft this year since we could have addressed that need in the draft.

As for the secondary, they played great today even with everyone hurt. We gave up 1 TD when Watt couldn't bring down a gimp (even JJ makes mistakes I guess), and we gave up a long play in OT when a superhuman player made a superhuman play. Even the other TD was an obvious penalty and a better/healthier CB is not going to get pushed any less by Dez Bryant. None of that is on the secondary, even with all the injuries.

The truth is I am just not that invested in this team winning or losing right now. We have no QB and it's all pretend until we do. Until then I will have fun watching but I have zero expectations no matter how many wins we steal.