Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
HOUSTON — CeeDee Lamb saved the Cowboys’ season. Not figuratively. Literally.
A Cowboys loss to fall to 1-3 would have made reaching the postseason a near-impossible task. Now, after the Cowboys receiver put on a show with a career-high 17 catches for 189 yards, including a go-ahead touchdown with 40 seconds left, the Cowboys’ season will continue to have some substance.
Dallas knocked off the Houston Texans 34-30 on Sunday.
Article continues below this ad
The Cowboys’ defense, after a terrible start, finally did something at the end of the game to hold on for victory.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the Cowboys didn’t need to win this game to salvage their season but wanted to get the victory.
After a week during which the Cowboys had to speak about communication issues and whether this team could avoid a horrendous start to their season, they pushed the Texans to 0-4, and the 2-2 Cowboys are in second place in the NFC East behind the 3-1 Giants.
“It was never finger pointing one way or the other, and they just went back to work,” Schottenheimer said. “And we’re going to do it again here in however many days, I can’t count right now. Is it five days? Four. We’ll do it again in four days. And you know what? We can’t wait.”
Before we get to Cowboys-Bucs on Thursday night, here are five thoughts on Cowboys-Texans:
Article continues below this ad
Dallas Cowboys fan Patrick “Popeye” Brawn of Dallas poses for a photo before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
(From left) Houston Texans fan David Carcamo and Dallas Cowboys Daniel Maldonado Jr. tailgate as they celebrate Maldonado’s birthday before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys fan Jesse Sanchez of San Antonio has a beer punched by Houston Texans fan Travis McGlothin of Houston for the Texan Mojo’s Shotgun 30 as they tailgate before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys fan Claudia Espinoza of Brownsville shares a kiss with Houston Texans fan Eric Garza after saying yes to his engagement proposal as they tailgate before an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys fan Claudia Espinoza of Brownsville shows off her engagement ring after saying yes to Houston Texans fan Eric Garza as they tailgate before an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Houston Texans fan Patrick Ennis with Texan Mojo tailgate leads Texans and Dallas Cowboys fans in the Shotgun 30 as they tailgate before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer watches as his team warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones chats with Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (25) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
A handler with the American Eagle Foundation recalls a bald eagle before the start of an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
A bald eagle with the American Eagle Foundation flys during the national anthem before the start of an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prepares for the play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (24) forces Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (9) out of bounds during the first half of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) catches a touchdown pass past Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward (27) during the first half of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) catches a touchdown pass past Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward (27) during the first half of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
A Dallas Cowboys fan watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks up at the screen during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) catches a touchdown pass over Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after catching a touchdown pass over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) greets supporters as he exits the field after defeating the Houston Texans in an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) completes a 53 yard pass over the Houston Texans during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) fails to complete a touchdown pass over Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is stopped by Houston Texans linebacker Jake Hansen (35) before reaching the end zone during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) scores on a touchdown run past Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) rolls in to score on a touchdown run past Houston Texans defensive end Solomon Byrd (50) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) rolls in to score on a touchdown run past Houston Texans defensive end Solomon Byrd (50) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates his touchdown run with Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) dances after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) dances with linebacker Rashan Gary (7) after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
The Houston Texans offense and the Dallas Cowboys defense at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates a completed pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrate a completed pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates a completed pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prepares for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (25) and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Tyrus Wheat (59) exit the field after defeating the Houston Texans in an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
CeeDee Lamb with a monster day
Lamb put on a show Sunday with a career-high 17 catches for 189 yards with one touchdown. It was Lamb’s third-highest receiving yardage total of his career. He took advantage of the extra coverage George Pickens received from the Texans. During the game, Lamb surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson for the fourth-most receiving yards in franchise history. It was also a homecoming for Lamb, who grew up in the Houston area. Lamb now has 7,914 receiving yards.
Joey Porter Jr. makes debut
Joey Porter Jr., the Cowboys’ newly acquired cornerback, started the game but was not credited with any tackles or pass breakups. Porter often covered the Texans’ best receiver Nico Collins, who was playing his first game since Sept. 13. when he caught seven passes for 75 yards with one touchdown against Buffalo. Collins had been dealing with a hamstring injury. The Cowboys were determined to get Porter on him. Collins did catch a first-half score against DaRon Bland, but for the majority of the day, Porter took on Collins. Porter was on a snap count because he didn’t practice in training camp with the Steelers, instead conducing a hold-in as part of a contract dispute. Porter also had back issues that apparently cleared up after his trade to the Cowboys.
Article continues below this ad
Curious coaching decisions
Schottenheimer made a curious decision at the end of the first half. Instead of letting the clock run down, he called a timeout and asked kicker Brandon Aubrey to attempt a 65-yard field goal with 30 seconds left. Aubrey missed wide left. The miss gave the Texans the ball at the Cowboys 45. After three plays, two passes and a spike, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn converted a 54-yard field goal to push the Texans to a 16-6 halftime lead. It’s easy to second-guess why Schottenheimer would attempt a long field goal, considering earlier in the game Aubrey had a 62-yard field-goal try blocked. In the last two games, Aubrey has had two field-goal attempts blocked, from 65 yards and now 62 yards.
Schottenheimer also challenged a catch fourth quarter catch to Kayshon Boutte that was upheld. Schottenheimer is now 0-3 in his career on challenges.
Slow start for George Pickens, too
After the first half, Pickens had just one target. But in the third quarter, Pickens exploded. He caught 53-yard reception on the first possession of the second half. It was a contested catch with Pickens covered by corner Kamari Lassiter. The two would battle throughout the afternoon as Lamb picked up a majority of the targets from Dak Prescott. Pickens drew two pass interference penalties against Lassiter in the end zone as the Cowboys were inside the 5. While Pickens didn’t have a big game numbers-wise, drawing coverage to free up Lamb and drawing penalties were part of his game.
Article continues below this ad
Cowboys finally get some sacks
The Cowboys had just two sacks coming into the game, none from their edge rushers. Rashan Gary picked up a sack, his first of the season and first among the team’s pass rushers. He got credit for the sack when Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was pressured and jetted out of bounds. The Cowboys’ pass rush has been questioned for the majority of the season. Stroud had too much time in the pocket Sunday, but he was knocked down a few times. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams added a sack of Stroud late in the game.