The Dallas Cowboys’ season-saving win against the Houston Texans
came with plenty of big plays that contributed to the 34-30 victory. There was the 53-yard dime Dak Prescott put on George Pickens in the third quarter. There was the 12-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to CeeDee Lamb that provided Dallas the winning points. There was even the 3rd-and-3 sack by Quinnen Williams on C.J. Stroud in the fourth quarter.But the most underrated play came with fewer expected points added and a lesser change in win probability than any of those. It flew under the radar to most and was forgotten as soon as it was celebrated the moment it occurred.
With 1:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, Prescott dropped back on 2nd-and-10, trailing by three, and delivered
what scientists call “a dime” to Lamb on the sideline. The pass required the perfect touch, having to clear one layer of the secondary while falling into the tightly guarded hands of his favorite receiver.
Dak Prescott absolutely rips between the DBs. Such a dime. pic.twitter.com/QvrDvenp5z
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) October 4, 2026
The pass was immediately lauded by commentator Greg Olson but quickly moved past given the urgency of the situation. It came not long after Prescott threw an ill-advised pass into double coverage that could have ended the game for Dallas. This perfectly executed play just moments after, reaffirmed the Cowboys’ quarterback was still operating at peak confidence levels.
It was after this play when the Texans began burning timeouts to preserve the clock. It was that same clock that eventually spelled Houston's doom, forcing a game ending Hail Mary attempt roughly 60 seconds later.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott's passing chart from Dallas' 34-30 win over the Texans, via @NextGenStats: pic.twitter.com/g4QPQ6APK6
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) October 4, 2026
The play itself counted +1.4 EPA, moving the Cowboys across midfield and into fringe Brandon Aubrey territory. The game was still very much in the balance at this point with the weight favoring Houston. But this play moved the chains by way of elite performance. A cascade of events immediately followed and it was at this moment where Dallas moved into the driver’s seat.
The Prescott-Lamb connection ruled the day in Week 4. Lamb set a career record for catching 17 balls for 189 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys are now 2-2 and looking to seize a winning record for the first time in 2026. This play didn’t score points or even win the game, but it was monumental in more than one way making it the most underrated play of the game.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Most underrated play of the game in Cowboys 34-30 win over Texans
