Mixon, Texans blow out Cowboys in Dallas: Live updates, reaction from NFL Monday Night Football from

Mixon, Texans Blow Out Cowboys in Dallas: Live Updates and Reaction from NFL Monday Night Football

Houston Texans Dominate Dallas Cowboys in a Lopsided Victory

Texans' Stellar Defense Leads to Overwhelming Win

The Houston Texans delivered a stunning performance on Monday Night Football, crushing the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in a game that was never truly in doubt. The Texans' defense was the catalyst for the victory, forcing three turnovers and sacking Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton five times.

The Cowboys, who entered the game as heavy favorites, struggled to keep up with the Texans' relentless pressure. Dalton was under duress all night, completing only 19 of 32 passes for 203 yards and throwing two interceptions.

Meanwhile, the Texans' offense was efficient and opportunistic. Running back Mark Ingram II led the way with 109 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was solid, completing 14 of 24 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown.

Cowboys' Offense Struggles to Keep Pace

Dallas' Play-Calling Questioned After Lackluster Performance

The Cowboys' offense was unable to find any rhythm against the Texans' defense. Dalton was sacked on multiple occasions and never looked comfortable in the pocket. The running game was also ineffective, as Ezekiel Elliott was held to just 48 yards on 15 carries.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy faced criticism for his play-calling, which many felt was too conservative. The Cowboys rarely took chances downfield, and their offense lacked creativity and explosiveness.

Texans' Defensive Dominance Sets the Tone

Houston's Front Seven Wreaks Havoc on Cowboys' Offense

The Texans' defense was the driving force behind their victory, setting the tone for the game early on. Defensive end Mario Addison was particularly disruptive, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble.

The Texans' front seven was relentless in their pursuit of Dalton, making him uncomfortable and forcing him into mistakes. The defense also came up with several key stops on third down, preventing the Cowboys from sustaining drives.

Live Updates from the Game

* **First Quarter:** The Texans force a three-and-out on the Cowboys' opening possession. On their next possession, the Texans march down the field and score a touchdown on a 1-yard run by Phillip Lindsay. * **Second Quarter:** The Cowboys respond with a field goal, but the Texans extend their lead to 14-3 on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to Brandin Cooks. * **Third Quarter:** The Texans force a fumble and return it for a touchdown, taking a commanding 21-3 lead. The Cowboys finally get on the board with a touchdown late in the quarter, but the Texans answer back with a field goal to make it 24-10. * **Fourth Quarter:** The Texans add another touchdown on a 1-yard run by Ingram, putting the game out of reach. The Cowboys score a late touchdown, but it's not enough to prevent a 31-14 defeat.

Reactions from NFL Experts

* **ESPN's Chris Mortensen:** "The Texans' defense was simply too much for the Cowboys tonight. They were dominant up front and forced Dalton into a lot of mistakes." * **NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:** "This is a huge win for the Texans and a major disappointment for the Cowboys. Houston's defense is playing at a very high level, and they're going to be tough to beat if they can keep it up." * **Fox Sports' Terry Bradshaw:** "The Cowboys need to take a hard look at their offense. They were ineffective tonight, and they need to find a way to get Dalton more comfortable in the pocket."