ARLINGTON, Texas -- A few thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys' 20-17 overtime win against the Houston Texans on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
What it means: For the first time since 2008, the Cowboys are 4-1, which at the beginning of the season seemed almost far-fetched, but it's exactly what they needed to do to contend for a playoff spot.
The last time the Cowboys started 4-1 came in 2008, when they failed to make the playoffs. The good news? Since the playoffs expanded to 12 teams, 77.1 percent of the teams that start 4-1 make the postseason.
If there’s an example as to just how razor thin the line is between success and failure, it was this game. The Cowboys had a 17-7 lead with 9:44 to play, saw the Texans rally to tie the score and then saw Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey, who had converted 30 straight field goal attempts, miss from 53 yards on the final play of regulation.
In overtime, Bailey was able to redeem himself with a 49-yarder to give the Cowboys the win. The Cowboys improved to 5-3 in overtime in the Jason Garrett era.
But for Bailey to get the chance to win it, Dez Bryant made an acrobatic 37-yard grab after Tony Romo let loose with a deep ball under pressure at the Houston 31. Normal receivers do not make that catch. Bryant isn’t normal, and two plays later, Bailey had the winner.
The century mark again: DeMarco Murray made history, becoming the first Cowboys running back to open a season with five straight 100-yard rushing games. He also saw the return of his fumbles. On the second drive of the game Murray fumbled at the Houston 10, thwarting a Cowboys scoring drive. But he persevered. While his touchdown streak ended at four games, Murray finished with 136 yards on a career-high 31 carries.
Emmitt Smith was the last to come close to Murray's achievement: Smith opened 1995 with four straight 100-yard games but was held to 95 yards in a Week 5 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Murray’s yards came the tough way, but he set up the Cowboys’ clinching touchdown with 28 yards on three carries after a long Dwayne Harris punt return. Bryant ended the drive with a 2-yard touchdown catch. Murray will look to become the first back since Jim Brown in 1958 to open a season with six straight 100-yard games next week at Seattle.
Game ball: The Cowboys were well aware of how Texans defensive end J.J. Watt could influence a game, and they did their best to slow him down. He made a big play against Murray on the first snap, but was relatively quiet the rest of the day. The entire offensive line had their turns against Watt with the Texans moving him around, but they were able to keep him at bay.
Stock Watch: With a 34-yard catch in the third quarter, tight end Jason Witten became the third tight end in NFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards for a career. Witten joins Tony Gonzalez (15,127) yards and Shannon Sharpe (10,060 yards). Sharpe is in the Hall of Fame. Gonzalez will be there in due time and Witten could join them. Witten finished the game with 59 yards on four catches.
What’s next: The Cowboys take on the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 12 at CenturyLink Field. The Cowboys’ last two trips to the Northwest have left bad memories. On Sept. 16, 2012, they were thoroughly dominated in a 27-7 loss.
