Joe Mixon Leads Texans to Dominant Win Over Cowboys, Expands AFC South Lead

Mixon’s Big Night Powers Texans Past Cowboys

Joe Mixon delivered a spectacular performance on Monday night, rushing for 109 yards and three touchdowns as the Houston Texans triumphed 34-10 over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. With the win, the Texans (7-4) extended their lead in the AFC South, now holding a two-game advantage over the second-place Indianapolis Colts.

Mixon also contributed in the passing game, adding 44 yards on two receptions. Quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 23 of 34 passes for 257 yards and one interception, helping guide the Texans to their commanding victory.

Cowboys Struggle in Fifth Consecutive Loss

Despite a strong passing effort from backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who threw for 354 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, the Cowboys (3-7) were unable to recover after falling behind. Rush connected with KaVontae Turpin for a 64-yard touchdown and had CeeDee Lamb as a reliable target with eight receptions for 93 yards. However, Dallas’ offense was unable to find any consistency, and the team suffered its fifth straight loss.

Turning Point: Barnett’s Fumble Return Seals the Win

The game took a decisive turn early in the fourth quarter when the Texans’ Derek Barnett forced a fumble on a strip-sack from Rush. After a scramble, Barnett scooped up the ball and returned it for a touchdown, increasing Houston’s lead to 27-10. The Cowboys were unable to recover from the mistake, and their hopes of a comeback dwindled.

Strong First Half by Mixon Sets the Tone

Mixon was dominant from the start, rushing for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He opened the scoring with a 45-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by a 1-yard touchdown to give the Texans a 14-0 lead. Dallas answered with Turpin’s 64-yard touchdown, but Houston extended their lead to 17-7 before the break with a 33-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.