Houston Texans serve Cowboys new defeat

Notable players from tonight's game

Cooper Rush - Cowboys
The other two backups were less impressive, but Rush had two long drives for touchdown passes. Since Prescott continues to sit out, babying his shoulder, it will be important that the Cowboys have a backup QB they can rely on, and after tonight's game, it's looking like that guy could be Rush. He has a 25-yard completion to TE Blake Jarwin on a 2nd and 14 on his very first drive as well as a 75-yard march that ended up in a touchdown from Tony Pollard.

Lonnie Johnson - Texans
It was Johnson who turned the game around with a 54-yard interception return to tie the game in the third quarter. He proved to be the kind of guy Lovie Smith wants on defense, the kind who makes plays.

Mark Ingram - Texans
After Gilbert fumbled the ball for Dallas and upon converting on a 4th and 1 with a 2-yard run, Ingram scored from the 2. He has 24 yards on seven carries. "That's why we brought Mark here," Culley said. "He's a guy that during his career has not had many minus yard plays and when you give it to him he's going to give you positive yards and he did that for us today."

Well, thanks for joining us for the online live updates of the Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys, in which the Texans defeated the Cowboys 20-14.

I'm not pleased about it, but this is indeed what happened.

Dallas vs Houston: Game takeaways for the Cowboys

- We may have more of a quarterback battle for the backup position in Dallas than we thought: Garrett Gilbert was the likely suspect to be the second string quarterback after starter Dak Perescott, but tonight he was outplayed by Cooper Rush, who was the number two QB behind Dak a few years back. Gilbert played two series with the first-team offense and turned the ball over on a fumble. He completed three of five passes for 30 yards and one sack, and a 77.1 QB rating. On the other hand, Rush had four possessions and led the Dallas offense to a few scoring drives. He went 10-for-12 for 97 yards with two touchdowns. Ben DiNucci started playing in the second half and finished out the game, sealing a Texans win by throwing his second interception with less than.a munute left in the game.

- Micah Parsons and Keanu Neal were the linebackers to start for the boys. And yet the Cowboys played several linebackers randomly throughout the game. Parsons was joined by Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. So we got to see a glimpse of who the starters could be at the linebacker position.

-The defense IS looking better - the Texans couldn't convert a single third down on ten tries against Dallas. Micah Parsons proved why he deserved to be the number one pick in the draft, and Leighton Vander Esch showed up as well, with four tackles during his play time.

Cowboys vs Texans: Game Summary

Though we know that Dallas is clearly the superior city in Texas, it sometimes doesn't translate well on the football field. The Cowboys suffered yet another loss this preseason, against the Texas rivals, the Houston Texans.

The Texans looked good on defense and the Cowboys offense was chalk-full of turnovers. On the opening drive, Jacob Martin strip sacked the ball away from QB Garrett Gilbert, which was then recovered by defensive lineman Charles Omenihu. They eventually turned that fumble into a touchdown, leading the Cowboys 7-0. The Cowboys caught back up and then some and were up 14-7 before the end of the first half. But then in the third quarter,  Lonnie Johnson caught an interception which he then turned into a 53-yard touchdown for Houston. After Temon Smith tipped a pass by backup QB Ben DiNucci, Johnson again intercepted it and ran it back to score.

FINAL: Houston beats Dallas 20-14

Driskel kneels again at the 37 for -1 yard - time will run out and that's game, y'all

Driskel kneels to Houston 38 for -1 yard

DiNucci pass INTERCEPTED yet again! Intended for Mitchell - intercepted by Brooks

DiNucci pass to Hardy for a gain of 4 - 2nd and 6

Penalty on defense - Lawson - illegal use of hands - declined

DiNucci pass deep to Mitchell - complete for 17 yards

DiNucci pass to Hardy again for another 6-yard gain

DiNucci pass to Hardy for gain of 6 yards

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

DiNucci sacked at Dallas 14 for a loss of 11 yards

Fairbairn kicks 65 yards - in the end zone - Touchback.

Fairbairn 24-yard field goal attempt is GOOD - Houston up 20-14

Driskel pass incomplete to Veasy

Timeout number 3 by Dallas

Driskel to Dallas 5 for a gain of 1 yard - 3rd and goal

TIMEOUT: Dallas takes second itmteout

Howell gains 4 yards - first down

Driskel to Dallas 10 for a gain of 11 yards - first down Houston

TIMEOUT: Dallas calls first timeout of second quarter

Howell runs the ball for a gain of 4 yards - 2nd and 6

Driskel pass to Erickson for gain of 14 yards

Howell for a loss of two

Driskel ran out of bounds for a gain of 13

Jeff Driskel in at QB for Houston

DiNucci throws ANOTHER interception - caught by Carter at Houston 45  - runs to the 50 for a gain of 5

DiNucci pass to Smirth for 7 yards - 2nd and 3

DiNucci pass to Mitchell complete for 14 yards - first down

Knox with the ball - loss of 2 yards

DiNucci pass to Smith - pushed out of bounds for 6 yards

DiNucci gains 3 yards

DiNucci pass complete to Smith for 8 yards

Hardy runs it for 1 yard

Ralston up the middle for 1 yard - first down

Davis runs the ball, but no gain - 3rd and 1

DiNucci pass complete to Eubanks for 9 yards

Fairbairn kicks 68 yards - Penalty Dallas - Offensive holding

Fairbairn field goal attempt is GOOD - Houston is up 17-14

Mills pass incomplete to Jordan - 4th and 6

Jackson to Dallas 20 for no gain

Howell runs up the middle for 4 yards

Mills scrambles for gain of 7 - first down

Howell for gain of 3 yards

Mills pass to Coutee for 25 yards

END OF THIRD QUARTER

Mills pass complete to Moore

Anger punts 31 yards - fair catch by Smith

DiNucci pass complete to Davis for 10 yards - 4th and 8

DiNucci sacked by Walker for a loss of 7 yards - 3rd and 18

Knox up the middle - loss of one yard

DiNucci scrambles up the middle for 7 yards - first down

Knox up the middle - loss of 1 yard

DiNucci pass to Parker complete for 8-yard gain

DiNucci pass complete to Fehoko for 18 yards - Dallas first down

Knox runs it for 11 yards

DiNucci pass to Fehokko for 6 yards

Fairbairn extra point is GOOD - Houston and Cowboys are TIED 14-14

DiNucci pass INTERCEPTED - Johnson runs it back for a HOUSTON TOUCHDOWN - 14-13

Knox up the middle for a gain of 1 yard

DiNucci - lots of pressure - pass incomplete to Eubanks

Johnston punts 48 yards - Davis to Dallas 31 for 7 yards

Mills SACKED by Thompson for a loss of 8 yards - 4th and 22

Mills pass incomplete to Erickson

Penalty- Houston - illegal formation - declined

Mills pass to Burkhead for 6 yards - 2nd and 14

Offensive holding - 10-yard penalty - no play

Mills scrambles for a gain of 5 - flags thrown

Mills pass short to Veasy for 12 yards - Houston first down

COVID 19 affects Dallas Cowboys

In the first half of the game, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins did not participate in the game tonight due to NFL Covid protocols.

Though the details have yet to be released, it is likely they tested positve for Covid. Secondary coach Joe Whitt is calling the defensive plays tonight.

Anger punts for 55 yards to Houston 28 - fair catch by Erickson

DiNucci pass incomplete to Fehoko - 4th and 11

DiNucci throws deep to Parker complete for 36 yards

Two fouls - offsides defense, illegal motion on defense - penalties offset

Hardy up the middle - loss of 3 yards - 3rd and 11

DiNucci pass ro Hardy for 1 yard

Davis pushed out of bounds for 11 yards

Ben DiNucci in as QB for Dallas

Johnston punts 43 yards - Weeks - downed by Armstrong

Mills pass imcomplete to Taylor - 4th and 4

Mills pass complete to Coutee (tackled by Cox) for a gain of 4 - 3rd and 1

Phillips runs it for 3 yards before being pushed out of bounds - Houston 2nd and 7

Mills pass deep to Veasy for 18 yards

Hajrullahu kicks 65 yards to end zone - Touchback.

Here's that Pollard TD!

HALFTIME - Dallas up 14 to 7

Hardy runs the ball for 2 yards - end of the first quarter

Rush pass complete to Hardy - out of bounds

Flag on the play - penalty  on Houston - roughing the passer - 15-yardspenalty

Johnson (Houston) was injured during the play - return is questionable

Rush pass incomplete to Davis

TIMEOUT - Houston takes second timeout of the half

Hardy gain of 1 yard - 3rd and 7

TIMEOUT - Houston - Houstons first timeout of the game

Hardy up the middle for 7 yards

Penalty - false start on Dallas

Johnston punts 61. yards to Dallas 13 - Weeks out of bounds

Penalty on Houston - intentional grounding - 15 yards

Davis Mills sacjed by Kearse

Mills pass incomplete to Conley

Phillips pushed out of bounds for a gain of 7

Hajrullahu kicks 70 yards to Houston -5 - .King to HoustonT 24 for 29 yards

Extra point is GOOD - Dallas up 14-7

Rush pass to Wilson - COMPLETE - TOUCHDOWN DALLAS!

Rush pass incomplete - 3rd and 9

Two-minute warning in the first half

Hardy tries to run it up the middle, but no gain - 2nd and 9

Dowdle again, up the middle for 15 yards

Dowdle up the middle for 10 yards - Dallas first down

Rush pass short to Wilson for 4 yards - 2nd and 6

Rush pass complete to Brown for 11 yards - first down

Ralston up the middle for the first down

Rush scrambles for 7 yards - 3rd and 1

Dowdle up the middle for 3 yards

Defense - pass interference - declined - Dallas first down

Rush pass deep to Brown complete - flags thrown

Dowdle to Dallas 21 for 1 yard gain

Rush pass to Brown for 5 yards

Johnston punts 45 yards to Dallas 15 - Weeks out of bounds

Mills pass incomplete to Conley - 4th and 4

Phillips again for 2 yards - 3rd and 4

Phillips up the middle for 3 yards - Houston 2nd and 7

Anger punts 58 yards 0 Erickson pushed out of bounds at the Houston 34 for 9 yards

Another penalty....false start (Mukuamu) - Dallas - another 5-yard penalty - 4th and 30

Penalty on Dallas - Kamara - ineligible downfield pass - no play - 5-yard penalty - 4th and 25

Dallas punts to the Houston 27 - fair catch by Erickson - flags thrown

Rush pass to Wilson for 9 yards - 4th and 20

Offensive pass interference - 10-yard penalty - 3rd and 29

Dowdle runs it up for 15 yards - flag on the play

Rush sacked for a loss of 8 yards

Pass to Dowdle for a loss of 1 - 2nd and 11

Handoff to Lindsay - no gain - Dallas will get the ball at the  37

Mills pass to Erickson for 4 yards.- 4th and 1

Mills pass to Moore complete for a gain of 7, pushed out of bounds - 3rd and 5

Handoff to Lindsay for a loss of 2

Mills pass to Jordan complete for 7 yards

Davis Mills in as QB in second quarter for Houston

END OF FIRST QUARTER - Tie game 7-7

Ingram yet again for 3 yards - 2nd and 7

Anger punts 57 yards - King to Houston 45 for 24 yards

Rush pass incomplete to Dowdle - 4th and 9

Rush sacked for a loss of 3 yards - 3rd and 9

Dowdle runs it for 4 - 2nd and 6

Punt inside the 15-yard line - Dixon to Dallas 25 for 7 yards

Taylor pass incomplete to Johnson

Ingram again for 1 yard

Igram runs it for 4 yards

Hajrullahu kicks 65 yards into the to end zone - Touchback.

Hajrullahu extra point is GOOD - tie game 7-7

Rush pass complete short to Gallup.- 2nd and 6

Rush pass right to Pollard for 8 yards, into the endzone - TOUCHDOWN DALLAS

Rush pass complete deep to Jarwin for 25 yards

Cooper run for -4 yards

Pass interference on defense (Smith)- 26 yard penalty - automatic first down for Dallas

Rush pass incomplete to Cooper - flags on the play

Hargreaves (Houston) injured during the play - return is questionable

Pollard blows through the gap for 16 yards

Cooper Rush in at QB for Dallas

Johnston punts 56 yards to Dallas 25 - Weeks, fair catch by Lamb

Taylor pass incomplete to Conley - 4th and 2

Lindsay runs up the middle or 3 yards - 3rd and 2

Taylor pass complete to Lindsay for 5 yards

Anger punts 38 yards to Houston's 11 - McQuaide, fair catch by King.

Pollard takes the ball again and barely moves forward - 4th and 9

Pollard runs the ball for a gain of 2 - 3rd and 8

Gilbert pass incomplete to Lamb - 2nd and 10

Gilbert pass to Pollard for a gain of 8 - first down

Gilbert pass to Schultz for 9 yards - 3rd and 3

Pollard up the middle.- nowhere to go - loss of 2 yards

Gilbert pass to Ceedee Lamb incomplete - flags thrown - illegal contact - penalty declined, result of the play - first down for a pickup of 13 yards

Second kickoff of the game - from the one-yard line - Dixon to Dallas 20 for 19 yards

The call stands - Fairbairn extra point is GOOD - Texans up early 7-0

The play is under review - unsure if knee was down before the line

TOUCHDOWN  TEXANS - Ingram runs it in, up the middle

Dallas takes a timeout - Timeout #1 from Dallas

Lindsey runs it for 2 yards - first down and 2

Ingram runs it again for a gain of 8

Ingram runs up the middle for the first down

Taylor  passes to Cooks - just behind the first down - 4th and 1

Ingram runs up the middle for 4 yards Houston 3rd and 5

Shotgun pass by Houston's Tyron Taylor - incomplete

Fumble recovered by Houston

Gilbert sacked  for -5 yards - FUMBLE - stripped by Martin

Gilbert pass incomplete to Gallup

Pollard left tackle for 3 yards

Fairbairn kicks off for 65 yards - Garrett Gilbert takes over on offesnes

Cowboys start on offense

Kickoff comin' up soon!

Amari Cooper to play vs Texans

Despite the Cowboys' unimpressive season last year and Dak Prescott being out for 11 games, Amari Cooper still managed to have one of his best seasons in the NFL. He set a career high of 92 receptions and had his fifth 1,000-yard campaign in six seasons.

In January, Cooper had a procedure to help with the ankle issues he'd been having, which kept him out of OTAs and minicamp. But last week, he was taken off the PUP list and is healthy again for the game tonight.

Texans coordinator wants aggressive defense against Dallas

With a name like Lovie, you'd think we have a softy on our hands. But that's not the case with Houston's coordinator Lovie Smith.

Lovie has an aggressive mentality and has been working on imparting that wisdom to his defense. Last year, the Texans had just nine takeaways, three interceptions, and six fumble recoveries. In their first preseason win over Green Bay last week, however, there seemed to be hope on defense.

Cornerback Tremon Smith intercepted a pass from Kurt Benkert to keep it inbounds, and defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson had two fumble recoveries, one of which was on a sack strip from defensive end Jon Greenard.

This is exactly the kind of aggression that Lovie is talking about. He says that defense can't just wait for things to happen - they have to make things happen.

“I think it’s a mindset. We as a defense, you can’t wait for the offense to turn the ball over you have to take it away. So on defense, first off, the philosophy that it’s a takeaway. You have to take the ball away on the defensive side and then you got to practice it. Simple as that. You just have to keep practicing it, like you practice tackling, like a receiver practices catching the ball. All of those things.”

Dress rehearsal: Cowboys and Texans

This game, albeit without Dallas' Prescott and Elliott or Texan's Watson, could be considered a bit of a dress rehearsal for the regular season. The Cowboys will play offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Zach Martn, and La'el Collins. And wide receiver Amari Cooper will make his preseason debut after sitting out with an ankle injury. What I'm really looking forward to seeing from Dallas is some defensive improvements. Tonight, we'll see defensive starters play in the first half.

Houston, unlike the Dallas, has had a good start to their preseason, winning week one against the Green Bay Packers. Other than Deshaun Watson, they should be playing all players who are healthy. In which case, we should see running back Mark Ingram and wide receiver Brandin Cooks with some snaps tonight.

Dak won't play tonight, but only because it's a preseason game. He should be ready to start week 1.

Texans quarterback issues continue

The Houston Texans went 4-12 last season, one of the worst records in the NFL. Then, to make matters worse, the drama they have had at the quarterback position seems never-ending.

During the offseason, Houston's starting QB Deshaun Watson was accused of sexual misconduct. Thus so, he has not started for the Texans, and might not ever. They have since placed him on the roster as the 4th string QB.

Now, there is a battle between Tyrod Taylor and rookie Davis Mills for who could be the potential number one starter.

The Cowboys look for their first win of the preseason after losing to the Cardinals last week and to the Steelers in the HOF game.

Cowboys keep Dak on the sidelines

The Cowboys have been extremely careful with starting quarterback, Dak Prescott. I can understand it. A pretty gruesome ankle injury had him out the after mid-season last year, which left the Cowboys without their star and finished 6-10 ( 4-7 with Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert starting at quarterback in Prescott's place).

Dak injured his shoulder during training camp, and though it was minor, the Cowboys have been exercising great caution with the QB, keeping him on the sidelines and out of the preseason. I don't necessarily agree with the decision. I definitely don't want to see Dak get worse, but McCarthy has said he won't play at all in this preseason, which means his first time out on the field will be against the reigning Super Bowl champs, Tampa Bay. And that makes me nervous.

Good evening everyone and welcome to our live feed of the Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans! This is the NFL's second full preseason week, but the Cowboys are one of two teams who have already played two games since they played against the Steelers in the Hall of Fame game.