Here is a deeper look at five statistics from the Cowboys' 19-16 loss to the Texans:
19.2 –
For the third time in five games this season, the Cowboys defense allowed fewer than 20 points. Unfortunately, the team is just 1-2 in those contests. The last time Dallas surrendered less than 20 in three of its first five games came in 2016 when the unit actually didn't give up 20 in four of its first six and in eight of the 16 games overall that year. The Cowboys defense is now averaging 19.2 points allowed per game, which is
32-32 –
With the loss to the Texans, the Cowboys saw their all-time record on Sunday nights drop to 32-32. They came into this game having won three of their last four in Sunday prime time and nine of 13 dating back to the 2014 season. This also marked just the sixth time the Cowboys have gone into overtime on Sunday night. They are now 2-4 in those extra-frame contests.
42 –
Jaylon Smith had a night to remember, totaling 12 tackles, two quarterback hits, a sack, three tackles for loss and a pass defended. He reached double-digit tackles for the second time this year and for the fourth time in his career. Smith now has 42 tackles on the season, which is tied for 10th in the NFL, while his three sacks are tied for eighth among league linebackers.
290 –
The Cowboys ran 60 offensive plays against the Texans and have now run 290 offensive plays overall through five games. That's the second lowest total among teams who have not yet had a bye, only Arizona's 247 ranking lower. Dallas is averaging 5.3 yards per play, which is tied for 23rd in the NFL.
3 –
In overtime, the Cowboys faced a fourth-and-1 at the Houston 42-yard line and elected to punt. According to Pro Football Reference, since the 2016 season, when Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott joined the team as rookies, Dallas has faced a fourth-and-1 between their own 40-yard line and the opponent's 40 in the fourth quarter or later five times previously. Twice they punted it with big leads. The other three times they converted the first down with Prescott running once and throwing it one time, and Elliott running it once as well.
Milestones
Team Notes
• The Cowboys played in their 39th regular season overtime game, first since a 29-23 win on Oct. 30, 2016 against Philadelphia and with the loss fell to 21-18.
• The Cowboys forced multiple turnovers (two) for the first time in 2018, and the first time since Dec. 31, 2017 at Philadelphia (two).
Tavon Austin
• Tavon Austin caught one pass to reach 200 for his career.
Ezekiel Elliott
• Ezekiel Elliott reached 20 carries for the 23rd time of his career during the regular season to tie Calvin Hill for the fourth-most career games with at least 20 carries in team history. Emmitt Smith leads the way with 115, followed by Tony Dorsett (57) and DeMarco Murray (24)
• With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 17-6 in games in which Elliott rushes for 20-or-more carries.
Rico Gathers
• Rico Gathers made his first career reception for 32 yards in the first quarter.
Allen Hurns
• Allen Hurns caught his first career touchdown as a Dallas Cowboy in the third quarter.
Blake Jarwin
• Blake Jarwin made his first career reception for 11 yards in overtime.
Jourdan Lewis
• Jourdan Lewis recovered his first career fumble in the third quarter that led to a Dallas touchdown.
L.P. Ladouceur
• L.P. Ladouceur played in his 210th career regular season game to break a tie with Randy White for the fourth-most games played in franchise history.
Brett Maher
• With three field goals in the game, Brett Maher moved into fourth place in franchise history with 11 field goals made in his first five career games. Richie Cunningham kicked 20 field goals in his first five, followed by Dan Bailey (16) and Roger Ruzek (14).
Dak Prescott
• Dak Prescott threw one touchdown pass to become the seventh player in franchise history to accumulate 50 career passing scores.
• Prescott reached 50 career passing touchdowns in his 37th career game, the second-fastest among quarterbacks who attempted at least one pass in a game behind only Tony Romo (24).
• Prescott became the sixth player in team history to reach 700 career completions (708).
Geoff Swaim
• Geoff Swaim hauled in a career-long 43-yard catch on Dallas' first offensive drive. He finished with three catches for a career and team-high 55 yards.
