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A week can change everything in the NFL. Just seven days prior, the Dallas Cowboys had suffered a gut-wrenching loss, failing to score from the two-yard line with under a minute left. Head coach Mike McCarthy had to issue apologies to the team, the media, and the fanbase for the offensive, defensive, and special teams miscues that unfolded in the final 30 seconds.
But after a thrilling last-minute win over the Houston Texans, the narrative around the Cowboys has taken a sharp turn. Dallas needed a spectacular outing from wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, an MVP-level second half from quarterback Dak Prescott, and timely stops on defense and special teams to pull off the comeback and upset Houston.
With the victory, the Cowboys now sit at 2-2, tied with the Philadelphia Eagles and just one game behind the 3-1 New York Giants in the NFC East. The mood around the team is decidedly more upbeat as Week 4 concludes.
Joey Porter Jr. Looks the Part
Injuries had ravaged the Dallas secondary, but even at full strength, the trio of DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, and Shavon Revel Jr. had not performed at a high level. The Cowboys' pass defense ranked among the league's worst, prompting the front office to acquire Joey Porter Jr. via trade. In a game where the Texans' offense looked as potent as it has all season, Porter Jr. resembled a top-tier cornerback. Though he played only 16 coverage snaps, he was not targeted once, allowing zero receptions and zero yards. It was a promising debut for Dallas's newest defensive piece.
Cowboys Rediscover Goal-to-Go Trust in Javonte Williams
Early in the season, the Cowboys struggled to get running back Javonte Williams going, but that began to change in Week 3 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The issue then was that in goal-to-go situations, the team moved away from their workhorse back. On their opening drive in Week 3, they had second- and third-down conversions from the one-yard line and chose to pass both times, despite Williams averaging over seven yards per carry. On the final drive, he received just one touch before two passes led to a field goal. In Week 4, however, the approach shifted. On the first goal-to-go opportunity, Williams got the handoff and scored from eight yards out. The next touchdown drive featured four goal-to-go plays, three of which were runs, including the score. The third goal-to-go drive consisted of a one-yard run from the three and a two-yard touchdown run by Williams. Dallas must continue to trust their bruising back, especially with Tyler Smith set to return to the interior of the offensive line soon.
Dak Prescott: One Play Away from MVP Contention
Had Prescott connected on a game-winning touchdown against Baltimore and then followed it with his masterful performance in Houston, he would likely be mentioned alongside Brock Purdy as a top MVP candidate. The Cowboys would be riding a three-game winning streak and own the same record as the division-leading Giants. Prescott struggled in the first half as Houston rushed four and dropped into coverage, but once the Texans started blitzing, he took over. They blitzed him seven times, yet pressured him only once. Against the blitz, Prescott completed five of seven passes for 116 yards. He finished with 335 passing yards—the most allowed by the Texans this season and in all of 2025—even after having his throwing hand stepped on.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast. This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas storylines after their Week 4 win versus the Texans.
Originally reported by yahoo.