Despite a promising end to the half, Dallas struggled once more with penalties early on. The team had three penalties on the team’s opening drive, leading many fans to groan, “Oh, no, not this again.” Neil Rackers gave the Texans an early 3-0 lead with a 24-yard field goal on the team’s first drive of the second half.
Starting at their own 20, the Cowboys’ scoring drive started inauspiciously, when a block in the back penalty negated a long Felix Jones run. But Dallas got back on track, converting two third downs on their way to the Houston one. Marion Barber took it in for his first touchdown of the season. The drive spanned 13 plays and 80 yards.
Dallas passed more than any team over first two weeks, but came out ready to run. The team ran on five out of their first seven offensive plays.
DeMarcus Ware is, uh, good at football. A Ware sack knocked Houston out of field goal range on their first drive. He has two sacks of Houston’s Matt Schaub in the first half, giving him three on the year.
Tony Romo was impressive in the first half, going 15 for 20 on attempts for 142 yards.
Dallas curiously passed on a 47-yard field goal try on their first drive, opting instead to go for it. That didn’t work out, and it certainly seemed to be a sign that Dallas has little confidence in kicker David Buehler. Buehler nailed a 49-yarder as time ran out on the half though, a great relief for fans and the Cowboys, themselves.
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