Dallas Cowboys – Following a hard-fought win against the Houston Texans, the Cowboys look to build momentum as roster health improves and defensive repetition begins to pay off.
The locker room atmosphere at The Star in Frisco felt significantly different this week. After falling behind 16-6 at halftime against the Houston Texans on Sunday at Reliant Stadium. the Cowboys orchestrated a second-half surge. putting up 28 points to secure a win that brought their record to 2-2. It marked the third consecutive game where the offense cracked the thirty-point barrier. fueled by Dak Prescott’s season-high 335 passing yards and a heavy dose of CeeDee Lamb. who hauled in 189 of those yards himself.
Yet, the focus remains on the margins. With a 7:15 p.m. kickoff approaching Thursday against the 0-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. questions persist about a defense that has surrendered 34 and 30 points in its last two outings. While the unit currently ranks 32nd in points per game and total rushing yards, there were tangible breakthroughs in Houston. The Cowboys held the Texans to just 62 rushing yards—their best defensive performance against the run in 12 games—and generated two sacks along with five quarterback hits.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer remains focused on the long arc of the season, insisting the defense is trending upward. That optimism is echoed by the front office. Jerry Jones. speaking Wednesday on 105.3 The Fan. emphasized that the team’s current defensive state is a product of necessary growing pains. “We’re playing a lot of players and we’re playing some depth out there,” Jones said. “The only way—apart from becoming available when you’ve been hurt—the only way to improve is repetition.”.
Personnel health is finally beginning to align with that philosophy. All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith. who underwent surgery to repair a torn left thumb ligament before the season. is trending toward a return after practicing fully during Wednesday’s walkthrough. He has been fitted with an internal brace to expedite healing. and his ability to grip during drills suggests he is nearing a return to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. emerged from Sunday’s 25-snap performance against Houston with only manageable soreness. signaling a healthier secondary rotation alongside DaRon Bland. Shavon Revel. and Ameer Speed for Thursday night.
Personal milestones also provided a lift this week. Linebacker Shemar James learned his wife, Erica, had gone into labor at halftime of Sunday’s game in Houston. Thanks to the team’s travel arrangements. James reached Dallas just in time for the birth of Shemar James Jr. a moment that offered a brief. human respite from the grind of the 2026 season.
As the team prepares for the winless Buccaneers, veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark dismissed any notion of a trap game. “We’re 2 and 2,” Clark said. “I’m not overlooking nobody.” With CeeDee Lamb leading the NFL in receptions (37) and receiving yards (498). and the offense scoring 79 second-half points—the most in the league—the Cowboys appear to be hitting their stride. Whether they can sustain this defensive improvement against Tampa Bay will determine if the 2-2 start remains a hurdle or a foundation for the remaining 10 games.
Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott CeeDee Lamb Jerry Jones NFL 2026 Tyler Smith Brian Schottenheimer