HOUSTON — With the game slipping away and less than three minutes remaining, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb delivered when the Dallas Cowboys needed them most.
Prescott connected with Lamb for a 12-yard touchdown with 43 seconds remaining Sunday, lifting Dallas to a dramatic 34-30 road victory over the Houston Texans.
The touchdown capped a monster afternoon for Lamb, who caught 17 passes for 189 yards and the game-winning score. He finished one reception shy of former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten’s franchise record of 18 catches in a game, set against the New York Giants on Oct. 28, 2012.
Dallas improved to 2-2, while Houston fell to 0-4.
The Cowboys had to earn it.
Houston controlled much of the first half, taking a 16-6 lead into halftime as Dallas struggled to turn drives into touchdowns. The Texans stretched their advantage to 23-13 in the third quarter when C.J. Stroud found Nico Collins for a 22-yard touchdown.
Then Dallas began chipping away.
Running back Javonte Williams powered the comeback with three second-half rushing touchdowns, scoring from 8, 1 and 2 yards. His third touchdown gave Dallas its first lead of the afternoon, 27-23, with 11:17 remaining.
Williams finished with 62 yards on 19 carries.
Houston answered.
Woody Marks scored on a 6-yard run with 2:26 remaining, putting the Texans back in front 30-27 and leaving Prescott with one final opportunity.
This time, Dallas finished the job.
Prescott moved the Cowboys down the field before finding Lamb across the middle for the go-ahead touchdown. Brandon Aubrey’s extra point pushed the lead to four, forcing Houston to reach the end zone on its final possession.
The Texans moved near midfield in the closing seconds, but the Cowboys defense held. Stroud’s final pass fell incomplete, allowing Dallas to escape Houston with the victory.
It was an important response for a defense that entered the game under scrutiny after surrendering 34 points in a last-second loss to Baltimore a week earlier. Houston still generated 397 total yards, including 347 through the air, but Dallas limited the Texans’ rushing attack and made the stop that mattered most.
Prescott completed 32 of 45 passes for 335 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Dallas finished with 399 total yards and did not commit a turnover.
Stroud completed 21 of 31 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Collins led Houston with seven catches for 118 yards and two scores.
Houston’s 13 penalties for 90 yards also proved costly in a game decided by four points.
For Dallas, the afternoon belonged to Prescott and Lamb.
Lamb entered the game as the focal point of the Cowboys’ passing attack and left Houston with one of the most prolific receiving performances in franchise history. His 17th and final catch did more than move him within one reception of Witten’s record.
It delivered the Cowboys a win.
Dallas will have a short turnaround before returning home to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.
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