The Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys entered week four with a combined 1-5 record (Texans being 0-3, Cowboys being 1-2) and in hopes for breakthroughs in their respective seasons. Additionally, Houston's hosting of Dallas is today is a giant callback to the very first game in Texans franchise history, in which the home team squeaked out a 19-10 victory to kickoff what would be another 25 years of football memories in the city.
Both teams suffered heartbreaking, last-second losses in their previous matchups last week, and thus both are also looking to remove bitter tastes out of their mouths in their week four Battle of Texas.
With a win, the Texans will finally get into the win column in 2026. With a loss, Houston will fall to an almost insurmountable 0-4 mark though the first month of the season, which presumably would lead to a lot of tough conversations in the following weeks. Here is a breakdown of today's matchup, starting with the first half!
Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys first half play-by-play
First Quarter (Texans have an explosive start, outscoring the Cowboys 10-3)
Nico Collins dominates the Dallas defense on the opening drive, leading to an early touchdown
As if on cue, returning Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins carried the bulk of Houston's first offensive possession. Most notably, he was on the receiving end of both a season-long 45-yard pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud on the first play of the drive, and then closed out the possession with a seven-yard touchdown reception to give Houston the lead (7-0 Houston).
The Cowboys respond with a Brandon Aubrey field goal to get on the board
On their first drive of the afternoon, Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey nailed a 39-yard field goal to give his team their first points of the day (7-3 Houston).
Ka'imi Fairbairn contributes to the scoring output with a field goal of his own
Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn saw Aubrey's 39-yard score and raised him a 51-yarder, as he drilled his attempt from the Dallas 33 yard line to increase Houston's lead back to seven (10-3 Houston).
Second Quarter (A kicker battle highlighted the scoring in the second frame, with Houston edging out Dallas 6-3)
Brandon Aubrey hits another field goal to double the Cowboys' scoring output
To lead off the second quarter, Aubrey once again made his presence known, hitting 50-yard bomb to double Dallas' scoring and close the gap a bit (10-6 Houston).
Ka'imi Fairbairn pushes Houston's lead back up to seven after another field goal
In what's become an impromptu battle of kickers, Fairbairn added to Houston's first-half total by hitting a 39-yard field goal for another score. It increased the Texans' lead back to seven (13-6 Houston).
Ka'imi Fairbairn shines again before the end of the first half, giving Houston a double-digit lead
In a beautiful display of clock management by Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston was awarded an opportunity to kick one final field goal before the end of the first half. Fairbairn rewarded his coach's time savviness with a booming 54-yard field goal to give his team a double-digit lead heading into the break (16-6 Houston).
Notable first half penalty margin:
- Houston Texans: Seven penalties for 51 yards
- Dallas Cowboys: One penalty for 14 yards
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