Texans Dominate Cowboys Behind Joe Mixon and Derek Barnett's Defensive Heroics

Zach Tarrant/Houston Texans

ARLINGTON, Texas — Derek Barnett delivered a game-changing performance for the Houston Texans, forcing a fumble and returning another for a touchdown in their dominant 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.

Joe Mixon continued his scoring streak, and C.J. Stroud avoided mistakes as the Texans (7-4) snapped a two-game skid while holding onto their two-game lead in the AFC South.

Mixon found the end zone three times, pushing his touchdown streak to six games since returning from an ankle injury. Barnett’s 28-yard fumble return for a touchdown sealed the game in the fourth quarter, adding to an electric night for the Texans' defense.

Houston built momentum after a crushing 26-23 loss to Detroit last week, where they squandered a 23-7 halftime lead. Stroud reflected on the team’s resilience: “It’s never as bad as it seems, and it’s never as good as it seems. Games like that, you have to find a way to win. But what are we going to do about it?”

For the Cowboys (3-7), it was another tough chapter in a season full of mishaps. A pregame issue with their retractable roof—where debris fell as it opened—set the tone for a fifth straight loss. Cooper Rush, filling in for an injured Dak Prescott, threw a 64-yard touchdown to KaVontae Turpin but lost a critical fumble that Barnett turned into a touchdown.

Dallas remains winless at home (0-5) and set an NFL record by trailing by at least 20 points in six consecutive home games, including last season's wild-card loss.

“We’re all frustrated,” said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. “If they weren’t frustrated, there’d be something wrong. We have to stay focused on what’s in front of us.”

Barnett’s decisive play came with Dallas down 10 early in the fourth quarter. As Rush tried to throw, Barnett knocked the ball loose. Rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton recovered it but lost it again after a hit from Jalen Pitre. Barnett scooped it up and raced to the end zone, narrowly avoiding stepping out of bounds.

“The play he made changed the game,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. “It flipped the momentum and got everybody juiced up.”

Joe Mixon set the tone early, scoring on a 45-yard sprint and a 1-yard run for a 14-0 lead. He finished with 109 rushing yards and added a 37-yard catch-and-run to set up a field goal.

Stroud, though not his usual sharp self, managed 257 passing yards and avoided major mistakes after an early interception. The Texans’ defense, meanwhile, held the Cowboys to just one second-half scoring chance—a drive that ended in a turnover on downs.

“The defense played with elite energy,” Ryans said. “We’d like to have one play back, but overall, our guys played really well.”

Nico Collins made an impressive return after missing five games with a hamstring injury, although his 77-yard touchdown on the opening play was nullified by a penalty. Still, Ryans praised the effort: “It showed what we could do in this game. Even though it got called back, I told the guys, ‘We can go score again.’”

Injuries continued to pile up for the Cowboys, who lost tight end Jake Ferguson to a concussion and guards Zack Martin and Tyler Smith to ankle injuries. Rush, sacked five times, finished with 354 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

InjuriesTexans DE Will Anderson Jr. missed the game with an ankle injury. Cowboys DB Markquese Bell left with a shoulder injury in the second quarter.

Up NextTexans: Host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.Cowboys: Visit Washington on Sunday.