The Dallas Cowboys overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and traded late touchdowns with the Houston Texans before Dak Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for the go-ahead score in a dramatic finish in Houston.
The Texans started quickly behind C.J. Stroud and the returning Nico Collins. Stroud moved Houston downfield on the opening possession before rolling right and finding Collins in the end zone for a touchdown.
Dallas answered with a Brandon Aubrey field goal, but Houston continued producing big plays. Stroud connected with Jaylin Noel for 45 yards before Ka'imi Fairbairn converted from 51 yards. Aubrey later added another field goal for Dallas, while Houston's defense kept the Cowboys out of the end zone throughout the first half.
Aubrey also had a long attempt blocked and missed from 65 yards shortly before halftime. Fairbairn capitalized at the other end, connecting from 53 yards as Houston took a 16-6 advantage into the break.
Dallas immediately changed the complexion of the game after halftime. KaVontae Turpin returned the kickoff 46 yards, and Prescott soon connected with Lamb for a big gain inside the Houston 10. Javonte Williams finished the drive with a touchdown, cutting the Texans' lead to three.
Houston responded just as quickly. Noel broke a 53-yard return, and Stroud eventually found Collins in the end zone for their second touchdown connection of the afternoon.
The Cowboys answered again. A spectacular catch by George Pickens helped move Dallas into scoring position before Williams powered into the end zone for his second touchdown of the half.
Prescott increasingly leaned on Lamb as the game progressed. Dallas put together a 14-play drive in the third quarter, with Lamb repeatedly moving the chains before Williams scored his third rushing touchdown of the second half. That gave the Cowboys their first lead.
Houston wasn't finished.
Facing another deficit, Stroud converted a key third down to Collins and continued moving the Texans into Dallas territory. A completion on third-and-14 kept the possession alive before Woody Marks scored from six yards, putting Houston back in front.
That left Prescott and the Cowboys with one more opportunity.
Lamb became the centerpiece of the final drive, repeatedly finding openings in the Houston secondary. His 16th reception moved Dallas closer before Prescott connected with Pickens inside the 15. Prescott then went back to Lamb in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, Lamb's 17th catch of the game.
Houston had no timeouts but managed one final possession. Stroud completed a pass to Collins before the Texans were forced into a last-play Hail Mary.
The pass reached the end zone as time expired but failed to produce a score, completing a Dallas comeback built around Prescott, three second-half touchdowns from Williams and a remarkable 17-catch performance from Lamb.
