In honor of the final preseason game for the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night, here is the history between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. These two teams meet most preseasons, but when they don’t they meet in the regular season (every fourth year).
The Governor’s Cup and The Houston Oilers
The Governor’s Cup (Texas) is the trophy awarded to the winner between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. This dates back to when the Tennessee Titans were the Houston Oilers. In 1965, both teams drafted Oklahoma’s Ralph Neely. When the Oilers sued the Dallas Cowboys for their use of Neely, the Cowboys had to give up three drafts picks and pay a cash settlement.
The Dallas Cowboys also agreed to play the Oilers in five preseason games, which three were played in Houston. These games became known as the Governor’s Cup, and up until 1996, the Governor’s Cup standings was Dallas 18-Houston 16.
The Governor’s Cup after 2001
Since 2002, the Dallas Cowboys led the in-state series 6-5. The Texans are 4-3 in the preseason and the Dallas Cowboys are 3-1 during the regular season meetings.
History of Regular Season Match-ups
In the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys scored a combined 91 points with 55 for the Houston Texans.
In 2014 at AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Texans 20-17 in overtime.
On October 5, 2014, the Dallas Cowboys squeaked a fourth straight win. After missing a 53-yard field goal earlier in the game, (ended franchise record streak for 30 made field goals in a row) Dan Bailey made up for it by hitting the game winning field goal set up by a leaping Dez Bryant catch. Bryant had a game high of nine catches and 85 yards. This game was memorable when Tony Romo avoided a JJ Watt sack even with a surgically repaired back.
In 2010 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, the Dallas Cowboys won 27-13 in front of 71,456 fans.
This win for the Dallas Cowboys marked their first win for the 2010 season. Quarterback Tony Romo threw for two touchdowns to Roy Williams, and Marion Barber rushed for one score. After this game, Dallas became the second team to reach 400 wins since the merger.
In 2006, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Houston Texans 35-6 in Texas Stadium in Irving Texas. On October 15, 2006 the game began close and low scoring; however, Dallas Cowboys wide-receiver Terrell Owens scored three second-half touchdowns. This was the second straight home game that the Dallas Cowboys defense did not allow a touchdown. Julius Jones ran his third straight 100 yard game, and Marion Barber scored for the fourth straight game.
In 2002, the Houston Texans beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-10 in front of 69,064 people.
This game was the first game played as the Houston Texans. After the first seven possessions for the Dallas Cowboys, six turned into punts and one interception which helped Houston have a 10-0 lead. In the third quarter, the Cowboys came back to tie the game, but ended up losing. This made only the second expansion team to start 1-0.
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