Texans vs. Cowboys Live Updates: Houston Falls Late In 27-23 Loss To Dallas

Can second-year quarterback Davis Mills help the Houston Texans pull off an unlikely upset over the Cowboys on Sunday?

The Houston Texans are still searching for answers in hopes of improving their play at quarterback. Sunday afternoon, Kyle Allen had another appalling performance during the Texans' 27-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium.

Coach Lovie Smith has expressed his desire for better production from the quarterback corps over the previous few weeks. And after passing on the idea to claim Baker Mayfield off waivers, the Texans named second-year quarterback Davis Mills as the starter under center for their Week 14 match against the 9-3 Dallas Cowboys.

Through 10 games, Mills completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 2,144 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions before his benching on Nov. 26.

"I hope we get similar results to last year," Mills said. "I felt like last year when I was able to come back for the second time, I played really well at the end of the season. These past two weeks allowed me to sit back and continue to learn." 

WHAT: Houston Texans (1-10-1) at Dallas Cowboys (9-3)

WHERE: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas (80,000)

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, 12 p.m. CT

TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: SPORTS RADIO 610 | 100.3 THE BULL | MEGA 101

Betting via SI SportsBook

Tickets via SI Tickets

SPREAD: Houston Texans +17.5 (-110), Dallas Cowboys -17.5 (-110)

TOTAL: 43.5 (o -118, u +100)

MONEYLINE: Texans +1000, Cowboys -2000

1st Quarter:

The Cowboys scored on their opening drive of the game following an 11-yard run from Tony Pollard. Veteran Ezekiel Elliott helped the Cowboys get into great field position following a 25-yard run at the 12:45 mark of the first quarter. 

Cowboys 7, Texans 0

Change of Possession 

The Texans went three-and-out during their first offensive drive of the day. While punting, Cowboys' returner KaVontae Turpin muffed a punt that led to an extra possession for the Texans. 

Behind backup quarterback Jeff Driskel, the Texans recorded 24 yards which led to a one-yard touchdown from rookie running back Dameon Pierce. 

Cowboys 7, Texans 7

Change of Possession

Following an impressive first drive, the Texans' defense held the Cowboys to a three-and-out. Punt.

 Change of Possession

Mills began the drive by connecting with wide receiver Chris Moore for a 37-yard gain. The play set up a 43-yard field goal made by Ka'imi Fairbairn.

Texans 10, Cowboys 7

Change of Possession

End of 1st

2nd Quarter:

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott connected with wide receiver Noah Brown for a 51-yard reception on 3rd-and-12. Brown's reception later set up a 10-yard rushing touchdown from Pollard.

Cowboys 14, Texans 10

Change of Possession

The Texans recorded 35 yards on 10 plays, but Pierce came short of the first-down on 4th-and-3. Turnover on down.

Change of Possession

Three-and-out for the Cowboys. Punt.

Change of Possession

Three-and-out for the Texans. Punt.

Change of Possession

Prescott threw an interception to Texans' defensive back Tremon Smith on 2nd-and-8. His intended target was Brown.

Change of Possession

The Texans capitalized on the Cowboys' mistake. Driskel connected with wide receiver Amari Rodgers for a 28-yard touchdown.  

Texans 17, Cowboys 14

The Cowboys recorded 60 yards on 11 plays but ended the possession with a 33-yard field goal. Texans' rookie defensive back Jalen Pitre played a major role in keeping the Cowboys out of the end zone. 

Pitre recorded a big hit on Cowboys wide receiver James Washington. He later recorded a pass deflection on Prescott's attempt to wideout Michael Gallup. 

Cowboys 17, Texans 17

Change of Possession

The Texans recorded 43 yards on five plays, which ended in Houston taking a halftime lead following a 50-yard field goal attempt. 

Halftime.

Texans 20, Cowboys 17

3rd Quarter:

The Texans began the half with Pierce fumbling the ball on 1st-and-10. Pierce's fumble was recovered by Cowboys' defensive back Trevon Diggs.

Change of Possession

The Cowboys failed to convert on Pierce's fumble. The Texans' defense stopped Dallas from getting into the end zone, with Pitre making a huge stop on Elliott. Turnover on down.

Change of Possession

After starting on their own two-yard line, Pierce made up for his mistake by rushing for 24 yards. Pierce's run helped the Texans get into field goal position. Houston would drill a 54-yard field goal to put the Texans ahead 23-17. 

Texans 23, Cowboys 17

End of 3rd

4th Quarter:

The Cowboys recorded 40 yards in nine plays. Their drive ended with a 53-yard field goal by Brett Maher.

Texans 23, Cowboys 20

Change of Possession

The Texans put together their worst drive of the game with three yards in three plays. Punt. 

Change of Possession

Three-and-out for the Cowboys. Punt

Change of Possession

With Pierce on the sideline due to an ankle injury, the Texans recorded 35 yards on seven plays. Houston nearly had a first down until Cowboys' defensive tackle Neville Gallimore batted down Driskel's pass attempt to Rodgers on 3rd-and-4. Punt.

Change of Possession

On 2nd-and-20, Smith recorded his second interception of the game on Prescott's pass attempt to tight end Dalton Schultz. 

Change of Possession

The Texans nearly recorded a touchdown with Driskel connecting with Moore, but the wide receiver was marked down on the one-yard line. After veteran running back Rex Burkhead was stopped on 3rd-and-1, the Texans failed to convert on Prescott's interception.

Change of Possession

Prescott made up for his interception by leading the Cowboys on a 98-yard drive that ended with Elliott recording a two-yard touchdown. Prior to Elliott's play, Prescott nearly had a touchdown pass thrown to Gallup, but a hit by defensive back Johnathan Owens ruled the catch incomplete. 

Cowboys 27, Texans 23

Change of Possession

Back-to-back false starts pushed the Texans to 2nd-and-20. Mills threw an interception on his final play of the day. 

Final. 

Cowboys 27, Texans 23

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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