REPORT CARD

B+

Overall

The Texans overcame a terrible red-zone performance to defeat the Cowboys in overtime. They were the only AFC South team to win. They made it exciting.

Quarterback

Deshaun Watson threw for 375 yards and took a beating. He was smashed time and again by the Dallas defense, but he kept getting up and moving the team. It was a gutsy performance.

Running backs

Alfred Blue replaced the injured Lamar Miller. He carried 20 times for 46 yards but had his best game as a receiver. Blue had eight catches for 73 yards.

Receivers

DeAndre Hopkins had nine catches for 151 yards, including a 49-yard catch and run that set up the winning field goal in overtime. Keke Coutee had a 1-yard touchdown catch. Ryan Griffin contributed six catches for 65 yards.

Offensive line

The pass protection was better in the first half than the second. The run blocking was good at times and bad at others. Watson was sacked once at the end of the first half.

Defensive line

J.J. Watt had an important sack. The linemen did a superb job of containing Ezekiel Elliott, who had 54 yards on 20 carries. They got after Dak Prescott, who threw for 208 yards and had two interceptions.

Linebackers

Jadeveon Clowney and Benardrick McKinney shared a sack. McKinney and Zach Cunningham combined for 17 tackles. The linebackers were terrific against the run and dropped into coverage well.

Secondary

Kareem Jackson and Jason Reid intercepted Dak Prescott. Johnathan Joseph and Tyrann Mathieu made a lot of big plays against the pass and run. The defensive backs played their best game.

Special teams

Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked four field goals and missed one. He won the game with his 36-yarder in overtime. Except for a 22-yard punt return, coverage was good.

Coaching

Despite continued troubles in the red zone, Bill O’Brien and his assistants did a good job of containing the Cowboys’ strengths and pulling out a victory they had to have.