The Houston Texans had it locked up with two minutes remaining.
And then, the defense let them down.
Those are words that likely wouldn't have ever been uttered at the start of the year, but it's the third time that the secondary couldn't get a stop after the offense retook the lead.
Behind a career-high 17 catches, CeeDee Lamb found his way into the end zone for a 22-yard game-sealing touchdown with 34 seconds left as the Dallas Cowboys overcame a 10-point comeback to secure the 34-30 win at Reliant Stadium.
For the first time in the DeMeco Ryans era and the second time since 2020, Houston will begin the year 0-4.
Most weeks, 30 points would seem like enough to win a football game. Initially, as the offense took a 10-point lead midway through the third
quarter, it did seem like plenty.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 4, 2026
C.J. Stroud once again delivered a performance to be proud of, throwing for 347 yards and two touchdowns. With the return of Nico Collins, there was life in the passing game, as the Pro Bowl receiver finished with seven receptions for 118 yards, making up for lost time after missing two games with a hamstring injuries.
But the lack of a run game and careless penalties cost Houston a chance to finish drives. Houston was flagged 13 times for 90 yards, including four holding calls on the offensive line. For the third straight week, the combination of David Montgomery and Woody Marks rushed for under 60 yards and combined for less than 4.0 yards per carry.
Even after the Cowboys took the lead, Houston responded. Stroud found Jaylin Noel and Xaiver Hutchinson for big-time games, setting Houston up outside the red zone. On third down, tight end Dalton Schultz lateralled a pass to David Montgomery, who turned upfield for a gain of 16 and a first down.
Marks would score on a 7-yard run two plays later, giving Houston the 4-point advantage with just over two minutes on the clock. Prescott and the Cowboys' offense didn't flinch, a common theme in the second half, as the pushed downfield play after play before culminating the comeback with a strike to Lamb in coverage against Texans defensive back Jalen Pitre.
1 and 2 gotta equal 6 somewhere
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 4, 2026
📺: @nflonfox pic.twitter.com/PFmkK2DFQE
Prescott, who was held in check for most of the first half, threw for 335 yards, setting up three different scoring drives for running back Javontae Williams. His lone touchdown pass came with 34 seconds remaining.
At that point, Houston had a last-chance heave at the end zone from midfield, but Stroud’s desperation pass fell incomplete right at the top of the goal line.
The Texans travel to Nashville next Sunday for a battle with fellow winless AFC South club Tennessee for a chance to pick up a win before a road trip to London in Week 6.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Recap: Texans respond late, CeeDee Lamb scores dagger TD in Cowboys Week 4 win
