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ARLINGTON, Texas — The two teams only square off against each other once every four years, and there has almost always been some sort of fireworks when the Dallas Cowboys meet the Houston Texans in the "Battle for Texas" a.k.a. "The Governor's Cup".
This time around marked the absence of cornerstone players like Dak Prescott and DeMarcus Lawrence, along with DaRon Bland and, ruled out ahead of the game, tone-setting cornerback Jourdan Lewis — adding to the Cowboys' list of challenges in trying to stop C.J. Stroud and his stable of weapons.
For the most part, the defense acquitted themselves well for the majority of four quarters of football, and the offense had its chances but couldn't find the end zone often enough.
The following players truly stood out in the effort to avoid falling to 3-7 on the season.
[This list is unranked.]
KaVontae Turpin, WR
For quite a long time now, Turpin has been trying to make a case to be included regularly in the offensive attack by Mike McCarthy. It's not been consistent to this point, but that might change in Week 12 and beyond — after the speedster took a third-down inside slant from Cooper Rush atop the third quarter to the house for a 64-yard touchdown. It marked the longest touchdown reception of Turpin's career, and the Texans' defensive backs are still coughing up a lung from the carbon monoxide in his exhaust trail.
Malik Hooker, S
Prior to their outing against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys' defense was starved for takeaways. Something seemingly awoke within them last week because, for a second consecutive week, they were able to take the ball away. This time, it was Hooker grabbing an errant pass from C.J. Stroud on the Texans' second possession. It's the first of the season for the former first-round pick, and though Rush threw an interception of his own on the next drive, Hooker definitely cooked on that play.
Osa Odighizuwa, DL
Quiet as it's kept, Odighizuwa is having a more than solid season for the Cowboys. Contextually, it might feel as if he's taken a step back, but he hasn't; and the film supports this belief. On Monday night, against the Texans, he was back to doing what he does best: pressuring the opposing quarterback from the interior. His sack against Stroud on second down is what eventually set up the pressure that led to Hooker's interception. And he continued to play well over the remainder of the game.
Israel Mukuamu, DB
It was another week without DaRon Bland and, adding insult to injury, Jourdan Lewis was ruled out with a neck issue. That's two of the three starting cornerbacks out against the Texans, but it wasn't Caelen Carson being tasked with his usual starting role due to the injury to Bland. It was instead Mukuamu, who has shown at nearly every turn why he deserves more respect outside of the building. His fire is undeniable and he affected the game both in coverage and in run support, getting a tackle for loss against Joe Mixon in the second quarter. Yes, please.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB
Once again, Overshown claws his way onto my list of players who left it all on the field. Following a scare in the days ahead of this matchup, bursitis in his knee having occurred in the loss against the Eagles wherein he was on demon time, the de facto rookie linebacker didn't miss a snap against the Texans and, boy, they probably wished he had. He was everywhere, and with a missile strapped to his shoulder pads.
