Bigger In Texas

Johnathan Joseph ran with Dez Bryant step for step down the sideline, with the Texans cornerback in great coverage against the Cowboys star receiver in the most critical moment of Sunday’s overtime clash between the two heated in-state rivals at AT&T Stadium.

Bryant leaped. Joseph leaped. Joseph perfectly placed his right arm in between Bryant’s two arms as Bryant went to grab the Tony Romo heave.

Joseph couldn’t have covered Bryant any better. And it wasn’t enough.

Bryant completed the brilliant 37-yard catch, setting up Dan Bailey’s 49-yard field goal in the Cowboys’ 20-17 victory, breaking the heart of the Texans, who rallied from down 17-7 to force overtime.

“That was the play of the game,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett on Bryant’s amazing catch. “It looked like it was an incredible play.”

“I think he goes up and gets the ball in contested situations better than any player in this league.”

The Cowboys improved to 4-1 on the season, and the Texans fell to 3-2.

The Texans next host Indianapolis on Thursday.

The atmosphere at AT&T Stadium was special, with Texans fans coming out strong in numerous.

As an ultimate compliment to the Texans’ traveling fans, Romo said “we played on the road,” even while at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Romo said the Cowboys had to use a silent snap count virtually the whole game. The Texans’ red definitely stuck out and the Cowboys’ blue stadium, and when Arian Foster scored a touchdown, there was a noticeable cheer.

“I was a little bit surprised by the number of Houston fans,” Romo said. “We need to do a better job as a team, as a fanbase, to make sure how big of a difference playing at home is.

“I think going forward, I am going to push that issue.”

The Texans got the ball first in overtime, and Foster, who finished with 127 yards rushing, ripped off runs of 24, 6 and 2 yards to set up a third-and-2 at the Dallas 48-yard line.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, though, lined up in a five-receiver set on the critical third down and threw an incomplete pass.

The Texans were forced to punt, giving the Cowboys the ball at their own 10-yard line.

Three DeMarco Murray runs for 18 yards and a 4-yard completion to Bryant, put the Cowboys at their 30-yard line for a critical third-and-8.

Romo, feeling pressure on the pass play, heaved the ball up to the left sideline for Bryant and his tremendous catch.

Two plays later, Bailey made his winning kick, redeeming himself after his 53-yard miss at the end of regulation.

The Texans were 4-of-13 on third downs, and Fitzpatrick finished 16-of-25 for 154 yards, an interception and a 64.4 QB rating.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien was asked what was wrong with the offense, and he said, “I don’t know. I have no idea.”

Said Fitzpatrick: “I’m not playing well enough to win.”

The Texans rallied from a 17-7 deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Randy Bullock’s 28-yard field goal got the Texans within 17-10 with 2:27 left, and, after a stop on defense, Foster had a 1-yard touchdown to tie it up with 41 seconds left. The Texans went 45 yards in four plays in 1:18 in the tying drive.

The Cowboys drove the ball to the Texans’ 35-yard line in the final minute, but Bailey’s potential winning kick went wide left.

Romo threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Bryant as the Cowboys extended their lead to 17-7 with 9:44 left in the game.

Earlier, Romo, somehow, got away from a J.J. Watt sack, spun around in the backfield and fired the ball downfield to Terrance Williams for a 43-yard touchdown pass to give the Cowboys a 10-7 lead with 6:08 left in the third quarter.

“It ranks up there with some of the great ones he’s made,” Garrett said of Romo’s play. “He has an amazing ability to keep his eyes up. … He threw a hell of a ball to Terrance. Certainly one for the ages for Romo.”

Foster’s 15-yard touchdown run gave the Texans the 7-3 lead with 8:49 left in the third quarter. Foster had five carries for 59 yards, including a 33-yard, on the scoring drive.

Only Bailey’s 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds left prevented a shutout in the first half.

Romo finished 28-of-41 for 324 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His QB rating was 98.0.

Murray had 136 yards rushing, and Foster finished with 157 yards on 23 carries.