Texans never trail while handing Cowboys 5th straight loss, 34-10

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Derek Barnett forced the first fumble and returned the second for a touchdown on the definitive defensive play of the game for the Houston Texans.

Joe Mixon did his thing, and C.J. Stroud didn’t have to do much to extend the misery of the Dallas Cowboys.

Mixon ran for three touchdowns to extend his TD streak to six games since coming back from an ankle injury, Barnett returned a fumble 28 yards for a score, and the Texans beat the Cowboys 34-10 on Monday night.

The Texans (7-4) stopped just the second two-game losing streak in Stroud's two seasons while maintaining a two-game lead in the AFC South.

Houston pulled away in the second half a week after a 26-23 last-play loss to Detroit at home when the Texans let a 23-7 halftime lead get away and lost despite intercepting Jared Goff five times.

“It's not as bad as it ever seems, and it's never as good as it ever seems,” Stroud said. “Those type of games, you have to come out with a win, especially going up like that the half. But what are we going to do about it?”

In a season filled with things gone wrong for the Cowboys (3-7), debris fell from their stadium's retractable roof as it was opening a few hours before the game.

There was no delay and no injuries were reported, just another mishap to foreshadow a fifth consecutive defeat for a team that lost five games total in each of the past three playoff seasons.

Cooper Rush threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to KaVontae Turpin but lost his second start since Dak Prescott's season-ending hamstring injury.

The Dallas losing streak is its longest since a seven-game skid in 2015, and the Cowboys dropped to 0-5 at home. Dallas is the first team in NFL history to trail by at least 20 points in six consecutive home games, including last season's wild-card playoff loss to Green Bay, according to Sportradar.

“Well, they better be frustrated,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “I mean, we’re all frustrated. I think there’d be something wrong if they weren’t frustrated. So just very honest with everything and stay in tune with what’s right in front of us. And that’s the only way I’ve ever done it.”

The Cowboys were down 10 early in the fourth quarter when Barnett knocked the ball out of Rush's hand as he was throwing. Dallas rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton caught it and was trying to run when Jalen Pitre knocked the ball loose again.

Barnett scooped it and scored, although he almost stepped out of bounds running free toward a pylon.

“The play he made really changed for game for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It flipped the momentum. It got everybody juiced up on the sideline. It was just a huge play.”

Earlier, the Cowboys appeared to have pulled within a touchdown on a 64-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey, but Barnett was penalized for slapping Terence Steele on the rush.

Dallas erased the points by taking the penalty, but Rush's fourth-down pass from the Houston 8-yard line was incomplete on the only good scoring chance of the second half for the the Cowboys.

“The defense played with elite energy,” Ryans said. “One big play that we gave up. Like to have that one back, but overall I think our guys played really well.”

Texans receiver Nico Collins returned after missing five games with a hamstring injury and took a screen pass 77 yards to the end zone the first time he touched the ball on the first play of the game, only to have it called back because of an ineligible receiver downfield.

That possession ended with a touchdown anyway on Mixon's 45-yard sprint up the middle, and he ran wide for a 1-yard score and 14-0 lead. Mixon had 109 yards rushing and set up a field goal with a 37-yard catch-and-run on a screen.

“I really love that first play because it showed what we could do in this game,” Ryans said. “Even though it got called back, I just told all our guys, ‘We can go score on these guys again. Just get it in your mind we’re going to score again.’”

Already without Prescott, the Cowboys lost tight end Jake Ferguson to a concussion and perennial All-Pro right guard Zack Martin and left guard Tyler Smith to ankle injuries. Rush was sacked five times, three on the same possession when Martin and Smith were injured.

Stroud, who has been in a mini-slump, threw for 257 yards while avoiding any mistakes after an early interception on fourth down. It was the third time in five games without a touchdown pass, and he has two TDs and three picks in that stretch.

Rush was 32 of 55 for 354 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Turpin had three catches for 86 yards.

Texans DE Will Anderson Jr., who entered the week tied for fifth in the NFL with 7 1/2 sacks, was inactive because of an ankle injury. ... Cowboys DB Markquese Bell didn't return after injuring a shoulder covering a kickoff in the second quarter.

Texans: Host Tennessee on Sunday.

Cowboys: At Washington on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, right, gets help from offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, left, to escape a tackle attempt by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett (95) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a fumble recovery during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) tries to avoid being stopped by Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry (96) and defensive end Derek Barnett (95) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair reacts after a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush fumbles the snap against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

A employee labors on the catwalk of AT&T Stadium prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

The roof is seen open at AT&T Stadium prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton, left, forces Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, center, to fumble the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett runs with the ball while scoring on a fumble recovery during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin tied one NHL record in his pursuit of another before leaving during the third period with an apparent left leg injury.

Ovechkin scored twice on Utah goaltender Connor Ingram on Monday night, marking the 178th different goaltender he has scored on in his 20-year NHL career. He is tied for the league record with Jaromir Jagr. His first goal came with 8:55 left in the first period. He struck again on a power play 5:38 into the second.

“It’s beyond impressive what he does,” Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren said. “When it rains, it pours for him. It truly does. He finds ways to get to scoring areas and when he does and the puck is on his stick, he doesn’t miss. He’s our leader. He’s our bull.”

Karel Vejmelka replaced Ingram in the net for Utah immediately following Ovechkin’s second goal.

Ovechkin went to the Capitals' bench with an apparent lower leg injury 5:30 into the third after colliding with Utah forward Jack McBain and crumpling to the ice. He was evaluated after the game, but no update on his injury will be available until Tuesday at the earliest.

“Hate to see it,” Washington forward Nic Dowd said. “He's been absolutely on fire, and he's huge for our team. He's our captain. ... He's been playing incredible hockey."

On Sunday night, Ovechkin tied Patrick Marleau for the second most different goalies scored on by netting a pair of goals against former Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov. He added an empty-net goal with 37 seconds remaining to earn his 31st career hat trick.

With Monday’s goals, Ovechkin needs only 27 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky for the NHL career-goals record. The 39-year-old Russian has tallied 15 goals through 18 games, moving him up to 868 career goals in his 20th season.

He’s scored five in the last two games alone.

“He’s been phenomenal this year, leading the charge on our team,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “In times where you need these types of games, you need guys to step up and score, make a big play. He’s continued to do that. Off to a phenomenal start this year.”

Ovechkin’s two goals helped the Capitals to a 6-2 win over Utah. Washington has won four straight on the road while totaling 24 goals over those four games.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights for a hat trick during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)