FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys’ season has reached a new low after they lost to the Houston Texans 34-10 at AT&T Stadium, dropping them to 3-7 on the season. We didn’t believe it was possible. Once again starting Cooper Rush, Mike McCarthy’s offence was dominated by turnovers. Although Mike Zimmer’s defence briefly showed promise in containing C.J. Stroud and the Texans offence, the dam wall—not to mention the roof—finally collapsed.
Since there isn’t much left to salvage for the season, the Cowboys are now in the zone of “Organic Tanking,” as we call it. Dallas had again another terrible quarter when you factored in the possible injuries to Zack Martin, Jake Ferguson, Markquese Bell, Tyler Guyton, and Tyler Smith.
Our Adam Schultz listed five strategies the Cowboys could use to pull off an unexpected victory before to the game. And just so you know, it’s not pretty. Here are the grades.
1. Zero Discipline Grade F turnovers
Dallas would have received a F if there had been one. Dallas had an interception and a turnover on downs during their opening two offensive possessions.
In addition to Rush’s second fumbled snap in two games, Tyler Guyton recovered from a sack-fumble but was stripped after Derek Barnett scored a defensive touchdown. Rush had several passes that should have been intercepted but weren’t, and the offence was stopped four times on fourth down overall. It was unsightly.
2. Create an 80-percent Rico:Grade F
Dowdle only managed eight rushes for eighteen yards in the first half. He would only carry once during the third quarter and again in the fourth, for a total of twenty-eight yards from ten carries.
This season, the Texans defence allowed more than 113 rush yards per game, and that was against them. Rush made 55 pass attempts when Rico was playing well. When the game was on the line in the first half, Dowdle was in charge of that, so don’t let ‘Big Mike’ tell you that he wishes he had more visits to the plate. This was a decision, and a peculiar one at that.
3. Stop Joe Mixon’s 24: Grade F
Mixon has a 45-yard touchdown run and 51 rushing yards on the Texans’ first offensive possession. In the first quarter, he finished with 62 yards and two touchdowns from seven carries after scoring another rushing touchdown. At halftime, Mixon would have 71 yards from 11 carries. Mixon continued to gain ground in the second half, concluding the game with 20 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Dallas is once again their weak point.
4. Maximise Opportunities for Upside-Down:
F Rush threw an interception on the very next drive after the Cowboys gained some positive momentum with an interception by Malik Hooker. Then, according to the ESPN broadcast, Brandon Aubrey missed a 40-yard field goal at AT&T Stadium, where he was 34 for 34 on field goals. We also include the Rush strip-sack, which Guyton was able to retrieve but was stripped himself, and Dallas wasted the opportunity to take advantage of it as usual.
5. Get Cooper Rush in Rhythm vs. Texans Subtle Weakness: Grade D
Rush had six throws of ten yards or more in the first half, which was a significant change from the Philadelphia Eagles game the previous week. Additionally, it included KaVontae Turpin’s 64-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, the Cowboys’ first offensive score since Week 3. With McCarthy dropping the run game early on to air it out with Rush, Cooper’s 55 passing attempts aren’t a way to survive in the NFL. Though it was another performance that demonstrated why Trey Lance must now have his shot, things “looked” better. We are aware of Rush’s identity. People, let’s start the Organic Tanking.