Cowboys Win Overtime Thriller Over Texans, 20-17; Dez Bryant Circus Catch
Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a overtime pass against Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Texans 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys narrowly defeated the Houston Texans on Sunday in the Battle of Lone Star State 20-17, taking the game in overtime. Both teams came into this Texas-sized matchup 3-1. But through halftime, the game was a defensive battle marred by penalties, turnovers and penalties on both sides.
The contest started out with a thud as both team’s offenses stumbled out of the gates, each going three and out in their respective opening series’. The first game-defining play came with 11:12 left in the first quarter as Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick intercepted a pass from Texans’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. That pass was intended for running back Arian Foster.
Dallas returned the favor on their ensuing offensive series as Cowboys’ running back DeMarco Murray lost his fourth fumble of the season, this time in the redzone.
The turnovers continued for Dallas in the second quarter as wide receiver Dwayne Harris lost a fumble during a punt return in Cowboys’ territory. Despite the great field position, the Texans’ anemic offense could not take advantage.
On the Cowboys’ last offensive drive of the first half, wide out Terrance Williams hauled in a big 28-yard reception from quarterback Tony Romo. As Dallas threaten inside the redzone once again, two drops by Williams forced the Cowboys to settle for a Dan Bailey 33-yard field goal. Bailey’s record breaking 30th straight successful field goal attempt gave Dallas a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
The Cowboys touted rushing attack was stunted in the first half to just 58 total yards. But it was the Texans’ running game that jump started the third quarter for Houston, as Arian Foster rattled off two big runs (33 yards, 15 yards) in back-to-back succession to give his team their first touchdown and lead of the game, 7-3.
Dallas answered right back with a 43-yard touchdown bomb from Romo to Williams with 6:08 left in the third quarter to give the Cowboys a 10-7 lead. During that scoring drive, Dallas tight end Jason Witten had a 34-yard reception that put him over the 10,000 yard career receiving mark, the third best at his position in NFL History.