The highly anticipated Houston Texans vs Dallas Cowboys match on November 18, 2024, brought together two of Texas’ powerhouse franchises in a fierce NFL showdown. The game, played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, saw the Houston Texans dominate the field with a 34–10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams delivered moments of brilliance, but Houston’s consistency, physical running game, and defensive pressure made the ultimate difference. In this article, we’ll go through a complete breakdown of the Houston Texans vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats, analysing team performances, individual highlights, and the critical instances that determined the outcome.
Game Overview
The Week 11 clash between the Texans and Cowboys was more than just a regular-season matchup — it was a battle for Texas pride. With both teams coming in from contrasting trajectories, the Texans continued their impressive form, while the Cowboys struggled with injuries and turnovers.
- Final Score: Houston Texans 34, Dallas Cowboys 10
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Attendance: Over 80,000 fans
- Date: November 18, 2024
Despite the total offensive yards being close — Texans with 391 yards and Cowboys with 388 yards — the efficiency and execution of plays made all the difference. Houston capitalised on turnovers and dominated the running game, setting the tone early and maintaining control throughout the game until the final whistle.
Team Performance Summary
Before diving into individual player statistics, let’s analyse the overall team comparison that shaped the game’s outcome.
| Category | Houston Texans | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 391 | 388 |
| Passing Yards | 250 | 324 |
| Rushing Yards | 141 | 64 |
| Yards Per Play | 6.5 | 4.9 |
| Sacks Allowed | 1 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 1 (Interception) | 2 (1 INT, 1 Fumble) |
| Time of Possession | 30:37 | 29:23 |
The Texans’ ability to balance the run and pass, combined with strong protection for quarterback C.J. Stroud, made them much more effective. Meanwhile, the Cowboys struggled to establish their ground game and were unable to protect their quarterback, Cooper Rush, against Houston’s aggressive defensive front.
Houston Texans Offensive Player Stats
The Texans’ offence shone under the leadership of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, while Joe Mixon delivered one of his best performances of the season.
🏈 C.J. Stroud – Quarterback
- Completions/Attempts: 23/34
- Passing Yards: 257
- Touchdowns: 0
- Interceptions: 1
- Passer Rating: 77.7
Stroud displayed composure and maturity, making smart throws and managing the clock effectively. Though he didn’t record a passing touchdown, his control of the tempo was vital to Houston’s success.
🏃 Joe Mixon – Running Back
- Rushing Yards: 109
- Touchdowns: 3
- Carries: 19
- Average Yards per Carry: 5.7
Mixon was the heartbeat of the Texans’ offence, finding gaps in the Cowboys’ defensive line and executing key short-yardage conversions. His three touchdowns set the tone for the Texans’ offensive rhythm.
🎯 Nico Collins – Wide Receiver
- Receptions: 6
- Yards: 92
- Longest Catch: 34 yards
Collins continued his breakout season, proving to be Stroud’s most reliable target. His ability to stretch the field helped Houston maintain a balanced attack.
💪 Dalton Schultz – Tight End
- Receptions: 4
- Yards: 51
Facing his former team, Schultz added consistent short-yardage receptions and served as a safety valve for Stroud in pressure situations.
Houston Texans Defensive Player Stats
The Texans’ defence dominated the Cowboys’ offensive line, creating pressure and forcing turnovers.
🔥 Derek Barnett – Defensive End
- Tackles: 3
- Sacks: 1
- Forced Fumble: 1
- Touchdown: 1 (Fumble Return for TD)
Barnett’s standout moment came when he forced and returned a fumble for a touchdown, which shifted the game’s momentum entirely in Houston’s favour.
🧱 Will Anderson Jr. – Linebacker
- Tackles: 6
- Sacks: 2
- Quarterback Pressures: 5
Anderson’s pass rush was relentless. He consistently disrupted Cooper Rush’s timing, leading to rushed throws and breakdowns in Dallas’ offensive rhythm.
🛡️ Derek Stingley Jr. – Cornerback
- Passes Defended: 2
- Tackles: 4
Stingley did an excellent job of limiting explosive plays, keeping Dallas’ receivers in check for most of the game.
Dallas Cowboys Offensive Player Stats
Despite losing by a large margin, some Dallas players still managed to post notable numbers.
🧠 Cooper Rush – Quarterback
- Completions/Attempts: 27/42
- Passing Yards: 354
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 1
With Dak Prescott sidelined, Rush filled in and threw for over 350 yards. However, his single interception and lack of success in the red zone highlighted Dallas’s offensive inefficiency.
⚡ KaVontae Turpin – Wide Receiver
- Receptions: 3
- Yards: 92
- Touchdowns: 1 (64-yard TD)
Turpin provided the Cowboys’ only major highlight with a 64-yard touchdown reception that briefly gave fans hope.
🏃 Tony Pollard – Running Back
- Carries: 10
- Rushing Yards: 42
- Receptions: 3 for 22 yards
Pollard couldn’t find rhythm on the ground against Houston’s sturdy defensive front. His reduced efficiency placed extra pressure on Rush and the passing game.
Dallas Cowboys Defensive Player Stats
Dallas’ defence faced challenges in containing Joe Mixon and the Texans’ balanced offence.
💥 Micah Parsons – Linebacker
- Tackles: 5
- Sacks: 1
- Tackles for Loss: 2
Parsons continued to showcase his elite talent, but his impact was limited due to Houston’s quick passing and dominant run game.
🛡️ Stephon Gilmore – Cornerback
- Passes Defended: 1
- Tackles: 4
Gilmore provided solid coverage, though the Texans effectively avoided throwing in his direction for most of the game.
Key Turning Points in the Game
Derek Barnett’s Fumble Return
Early in the second quarter, Derek Barnett’s forced fumble and return for a touchdown gave Houston a 17–3 lead, completely shifting the game’s momentum.
Joe Mixon’s Third Touchdown Run
Mixon’s third touchdown sealed the win in the fourth quarter, highlighting the Cowboys’ inability to stop the run game.
Cowboys’ Missed Red-Zone Chances
Dallas moved the ball effectively through the air but failed to convert key drives into points. Their 1-for-3 red-zone efficiency reflected their struggle to finish drives.
Tactical Breakdown
Houston’s Game Plan
The Texans relied on a well-balanced offence and a disciplined defence. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik emphasised a ground-heavy approach, allowing Stroud to play within a structured framework and Mixon to control the pace.
Defensively, DeMeco Ryans’ unit brought heavy pressure and disguised blitzes, exploiting Dallas’ weakened offensive line. The Texans’ ability to collapse the pocket and create turnovers proved decisive.
Dallas’ Struggles
The Cowboys suffered from poor offensive line protection and inconsistent quarterback play. Without Dak Prescott, their offence lacked creativity and efficiency. Defensively, the lack of containment against Joe Mixon’s runs exposed their vulnerability to the power run game.
Historical Context
This meeting was only the eighth between the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys since Houston entered the league in 2002. With this win, Houston narrowed Dallas’ all-time series lead to 4–3. The 2024 victory marked one of the most dominant performances by the Texans in the rivalry’s short history.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
The Houston Texans vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats tell a story of control, execution, and dominance. While the Cowboys managed comparable yardage totals, the Texans excelled in all key areas — time of possession, rushing yards, turnovers, and defensive pressure.
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