Everything is bigger in Texas, including the Cowboys’ problems. That much was magnified in a 34-10 loss to the Texans on ‘Monday Night Football.’

The franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott, is out for the season. The tight end, Jake Ferguson, left the game with a concussion. The offense looks disjointed. The defense can’t stop the run. The punter is throwing fake punt passes like he’s warming up the infield with pop ups on the baseball diamond. The coach appears to be firmly in a lame duck session.

The sun shining through the windows is blinding players from catching potential touchdowns. The roof is dropping big pieces of metal on the field.

Half the roster includes names that seem like they were auto-generated in the fifth season of a Madden franchise. Needless to say, everything is bad for the Cowboys. As if it couldn’t get any worse, they were throttled by their neighbors from Houston on ‘Monday Night Football.’ From head slaps to turnovers and fights, this game had a little bit of everything.

The battle for Texas was anything but, as the Texans took care of business in Dallas. While Houston will be happy with the result that moves their record to 7-4, they walk away still in search of some answers. They were held without an offensive touchdown until there were three minutes remaining. The passing game was hit-and-miss, showing some flashes.

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As it’s been the case all year, Houston will have Joe Mixon to thank for lifting up the offense. The running back carried the ball 20 times for 109 yards and scored three touchdowns. He added two catches for 44 yards, adding to what’s been a dream first season in H-Town.

The Texans remain in firm control in the AFC South, while the Cowboys turn their attention to Tankathon, no matter how much they say otherwise.

USA TODAY Sports will provided live updates, highlights and more from the Texans vs. Cowboys tilt below:

Cowboys-Texans score: Joe Mixon hits pay dirt for TD No. 3

It’s the Joe Mixon show in Big D.

The Texans running back notched his third touchdown of the ‘Monday Night Football’ affair, sealing the game for Houston. Mix has 153 total yards on the night.

Cowboys’ Cooper Rush eats back-to-back sacks

If you were hoping for a Cowboys comeback, this update is not for you. The Texans are punishing Cooper Rush right now, dropping him for a sack on back-to-back plays. It results in another turnover on downs, but Dallas has to be hoping to speed up the clock here down the stretch.

Cowboys-Texans score: Texans force two fumbles on same play for scoop-and-score

Derek Barnett can’t keep his hands to himself, but this time he does it in a legal way. The former Eagle slaps the arm of Cooper Rush, jarring the ball loose. The mayhem ends with Barnett celebrating in the end zone, giving the Texans a 17-point lead in what should be the dagger for this anemic Cowboys’ offense as the remaining fans in attendance likely rush for the exits. Texans 27, Cowboys 10

What is the longest field goal in NFL history?

Brandon Aubrey’s 64-yard field goal was wiped off the board because of the head slap, but it still would’ve been two yards short of tying the NFL record.

Justin Tucker set the record in 2021 with a 66-yarder against the Detroit Lions and Aubrey is next in line with a 65-yarder that he made against the Ravens in Week 3 of the 2024 season.

Cowboys come up empty following head slap penalty

The Cowboys will be slapping themselves in the head after how that drive ended.

Dallas turns it over on downs as Cooper Rush is unable to connect with Jonathan Mingo for what would’ve been a touchdown on fourth-and-2. It takes three points off the board, which Dallas already did when they, rightfully, accepted the 15-yard personal foul for a head slap.

What is a head slap in the NFL? Texans defender called for rare penalty

Derek Barnett has reintroduced a penalty to the NFL world on this Monday night in November. The Texans’ defender was called for a head slap on a 64-yard field goal try from Brandon Aubrey, resulting in a 15-yard penalty.

The head slap is exactly what it sounds like: It’s when a player hits an opposing player in the head and was outlawed by the NFL in 1977.

Joe Mixon stats

While the Texans’ passing attack hasn’t lived up to the hype in 2024, it’s been Mixon that’s picked up the slack. That is no different tonight as the running back has carried the ball 12 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also added a catch for 37 yards, bringing him over 100 yards from scrimmage for the sixth time in eight games.

Cowboys-Texans score: Another Fairbairn field goal furthers Texans lead

Joe Mixon drops what would’ve been a walk-in touchdown, forcing the Texans to settle for a field goal. Ka’imi Fairbairn knocks it through from 29 yards to stretch the lead back to 10.

Houston has been stuck in the mud since Mixon’s second touchdown in the first quarter, which might not hurt them this week, but could be an issue against better opponents down the stretch and into the postseason. Texans 20, Cowboys 10

How much does Cooper Rush make?

The 31-year-old Rush signed a two-year deal worth $5 million ahead of the 2023 season, which brings his career earnings to just under $9 million. The Cowboys will hope that Rush can lead them to some wins in a lost season while their franchise quarterback watches from a suite.

Cowboys sputter after halftime

Similar to the end of the first half, the second half begins without much incident. Mike McCarthy wanted his offense to put a drive together and they did exactly that – if the goal was to go three-and-out.

Halftime: Texans lead Cowboys in funky ‘MNF’ tilt

It’s halftime in Dallas after a funky first half from both sides. The Texans looked to be in control early, but the Cowboys responded, giving us a 17-10 score with 30 minutes to go.

Cooper Rush has been steady thus far, completing 15-of-27 passes for 172 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Houston’s rushing attack is the difference, as Joe Mixon turned in 71 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Dallas gets the ball to start the second half.

Brandon Aubrey misses first field goal at Cowboys home stadium

DOINK! Brandon Aubrey just gave us something you don’t see everyday – if ever. He slipped on a 40-yard field goal attempt with under a minute to go in the half, dinging it off the right upright. It’s the first time a Aubrey has missed a kick at AT&T Stadium.

That keeps the score at 17-10 and Jerry Jones might be forced to consider installing a new turf at halftime – after he gets the roof repaired, of course.

Cowboys-Texans score: Cowboys inch closer with Brandon Aubrey field goal

Maybe the Cowboys were onto something with Cooper Rush. Or maybe the Texans aren’t that good. You be the judge, but Dallas is hanging around in this one.

A 53-yard field goal from the automatic Brandon Aubrey cuts the Houston lead to seven once again with just under six minutes to go in the half. Texans 17, Cowboys 10

Brandon Aubrey longest field goal

Aubrey made the longest kick of his career during Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. On Dallas’ first possession, he attempted a 65-yarder in an effort to cut into the Baltimore Ravens’ 7-0 lead.

The kick split the uprights with room to spare.

Cowboys-Texans score: Texans settle for field goal

A long Texans’ drive ends in disappointing fashion as Houston settles for three from Ka’imi Fairbairn to stretch the lead to 10. He’s good from 33, but Houston will be kicking themselves after failing to get a touchdown following a nine-play drive that traveled 77 yards and took 5:38 off the clock. Texans 17, Cowboys 7

Cowboys-Texans score: KaVontae Turpin jets for touchdown

The Cowboys got some much-needed points on the board courtesy of KaVontae Turpin’s speed.

Cooper Rush hit Turpin on a slant route, and Turpin did the rest. The wide receiver took it 64 yards for the score, bringing Dallas to within a touchdown early in the second. Texas 14, Cowboys 7

Joe Mixon contract details 

Mixon is doing his best to buck the ‘running backs don’t matter’ trend. The former Cincinnati Bengal inked a three-year deal worth $25.5 million in the offseason and is proving to be worth every penny for the Texans. He’s gone over 100 yards rushing in 5 of 7 games and looks primed to make that 6 of 8 by the end of the night. Mixon’s nine rushing touchdowns are only four off from his career-high of 13, which came in 2021 with the Bengals.

Cowboys-Texans score: Joe Mixon scores second TD

Houston has added to their lead and it comes from a familiar face. Joe Mixon is into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game.

He’s already extended his scoring streak to six, but it’s been a big first quarter for the running back that was visibly frustrated last week. Dallas has no answers for the Houston running game thus far. Texans 14, Cowboys 0

Cooper Rush matches interception with one of his own

Cooper Rush has decided to get in on the turnover party.

CeeDee Lamb was running a slant but ran into a defender, allowing Derek Stingley Jr. with an opportunity to pad his stats, collecting an interception of his own. The teams trade turnovers and Houston takes over at their own 37.

CJ Stroud throws bad fourth-down interception

C.J. Stroud must’ve felt bad about the fake punt attempt because he just tossed one to Malik Hooker for an easy interception. Instead of settling for a field goal, Houston opted to go for it on fourth-and-3 from the Dallas 30-yard line. File that one away for later if the score stays close.

Cowboys fail fake punt

It’s time to cross Bryan Anger off the list of potential Cowboys’ starting QBs going forward.

Dallas attempts a fake punt, which ends about as miserably as expected. The list of follies continues to grow with each passing week.

Cowboys-Texans score: Joe Mixon scampers for early TD

The scoreboard reads 7-0 Texans, but it already feels like a 14-point lead.

Dallas’ defense has been sliced and diced in the early goings, first on a negated 77-yard touchdown to Nico Collins and now on a 45-yard run from Joe Mixon, that will stand. Texans 7, Cowboys 0

Nico Collins TD called back on penalty

Welcome back, Nico Collins. Kind of.

The first play from scrimmage for the Texans was a screen play to the returning wide receiver, and the wideout took it to the house for a TD. Unfortunately for the Texans – or fortunately for the Cowboys – the play was called back due to an ineligible man downfield penalty.

Cowboys vs. Texans start time

Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CT)
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Cowboys vs. Texans TV channel

TV channel: ABC | ESPN | ESPN2

ESPN again is the broadcast home of ‘Monday Night Football.’ The longtime team of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (color) will be on the call, with Lisa Salters adding reports from the sideline.

Viewers can also tune to ESPN2 for the ‘ManningCast’ featuring Peyton and Eli Manning.

Is CeeDee Lamb playing tonight?

Dallas’ executive vice president Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Monday that the Cowboys believe Lamb will be able to play on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 11.

Lamb popped up on the injury report with a back issue, but will play vs. the Texans.

Is Nico Collins playing tonight?

Collins is off the injury report and expected to take on a full workload tonight against the Cowboys.

The Texans designated Collins for return from injured reserve last Friday before their Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ which marked the earliest Collins could return after being placed on IR.

Cowboys close stadium roof after metal sheets fall

The roof was supposed to open at AT&T Stadium for ‘Monday Night Football,’ but after a near accident, it will be closed.

The Dallas Cowboys are hosting the Houston Texans in the inter-state matchup on Monday night, and the home team decided to open the retractable roof of the stadium for the first time in more than two years. The social media account of the stadium even marked the occasion.

However, things went quickly south after the roof was opened. According to multiple reporters inside the stadium, not long after it was opened, a piece of sheet metal fell from the roof and onto the field. No one was hit by it, but reports said it came close to making contact with production staff on-site. — Jordan Mendoza

Why isn’t Trey Lance starting for the Cowboys? 

The Cowboys aren’t starting Trey Lance because they believe Cooper Rush gives them the best chance to stay competitive with Dak Prescott out. 

‘Cooper has shown that he has the capability to compete and win in games,’ Jones said in an interview on 105.3 The Fan after Week 10. ‘He does give us our best chance.’ 

Rush has largely been a winner in his limited reps as a starter. He entered the 2024 NFL season with a 5-1 record in six starts with the Cowboys. He won the first five starts of his career from 2021-22, becoming just the 14th quarterback – and first Cowboy – in NFL history to achieve that feat. – Jacob Camenker 

Cowboys vs. Texans live stream 

Live stream:  Fubo TV | ESPN+ 

For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo TV. Fubo TV carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season. 

ESPN+, the proprietary streaming service of ESPN, will also carry the game. 

Cowboys vs. Texans predictions, picks

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Cowboys vs. Texans ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup will shake out:

Lorenzo Reyes: Texans 28, Cowboys 7
Tyler Dragon: Texans 27, Cowboys 21
Richard Morin: Texans 28, Cowboys 15
Jordan Mendoza: Texans 28, Cowboys 10

Cowboys vs. Texans odds, moneyline, over/under 

The Texans are favorites to defeat the Cowboys, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

Spread: Texans (-7.5) 
Moneyline: Texans (-375); Cowboys (+300) 
Over/under: 41.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with “Thursday Night Football” odds and “Sunday Night Football” odds. 

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. 

Cowboys inactives vs. Texans

CB DaRon Bland
WR Jalen Brooks
ILB Damone Clark
DE KJ Henry
CB Jourdan Lewis
FB Hunter Luepke
OT Matt Waletzko

Texans inactives vs. Cowboys

CB Kamari Lassiter
DE Will Anderson Jr.
LB Jamal Hill
OT Blake Fisher
WR Steven Sims
DT Folorunso Fatukasi

Cowboys vs. Texans weather updates

The roof at AT&T Stadium was supposed to be open for Monday night’s game, but after a piece of sheet metal fell from the retractable roof and onto the field, the decision was made to close the roof for the game.

Game time temperatures are around 60 degrees in Arlington, Texas, according to AccuWeather. There is a 0% chance of precipitation during the game.

NFC East standings

Philadelphia Eagles: 8-2
Washington Commanders: 7-4
Dallas Cowboys: 3-6
New York Giants: 2-8

AFC South standings

Houston Texans: 6-4
Indianapolis Colts: 5-6
Tennessee Titans: 2-8
Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-9

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins? 

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 

Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. 

The Dallas Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, with the team’s last Super Bowl appearance came during the 1995 season. The Texans are one of four teams that has never played in a Super Bowl.

NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:

New England Patriots — 6
Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
Dallas Cowboys — 5
San Francisco 49ers — 5
Green Bay Packers — 4
Kansas City Chiefs — 4
New York Giants — 4

Who is the highest-paid NFL player?  

The NFL’s top 18 players in average annual salary are all quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became the league’s highest-paid player before the 2024 season, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first non-quarterback on the highest-paid list after striking a four-year, $140 million contract extension this offseason.  

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