Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Dallas 10 at Houston 19 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Dallas Cowboys: Emmitt Smith summed it up best: "We did nothing good. We have a long way to go and a short time to get there." QB Quincy Carter looked embarrassingly weak when compared to the other young QB on the field, Carr. He's an uneven player with physical tools but seems a long way from being an effective NFL QB. He did not complete his first pass until the 2nd quarter. RB Emmitt Smith was adequate with 67 yards on 17 carries but one has to wonder if he's not just punching the clock. WR Joey Galloway was something of a bright spot looking as fast as ever on a 21 yard rushing play and catching 6 passes for 69 yards but Carter needs to improve quickly for him to have much value. Houston Texans: It might not be this season, but QB David Carr will be a contributor to Fantasy Football teams. He looked excellent considering this was his first game. If you believe in signs, his first completion was a TD. And this was behind a patched up Offensive Line missing three starters. Clearly, Corey Bradford is the receiver of choice here. Carr should have had a 3rd TD that Jermaine Lewis badly dropped. Starting RB James Allen seems to have a more secure hold on the job than had been thought. He carried 19 times vs 9 for Jonathon Wells. Allen was more effective with 56 yards vs the 19 yards from Wells. Wells may be the future, but he was not particularly impressive. WR Corey Bradford was heads and shoulders the best receiver for Houston. He appears rejuvenated in Houston and was clearly playing off the electric atmosphere. The former Packer did his version of the "Lambeau Leap" into the crowd after his TD. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Dallas Cowboys QB - Quincy Carter looked horrible. He threw a lot of would be interceptions that his receivers had to break up. Marked contrast between he and the other young QB on the field, David Carr. RB - Emmitt Smith played all of the game but was pulled often on 3rd and long. One has to wonder if the rushing record isn't more of a distraction than they're admitting. Troy Hambrick had a few carries but nothing impressive. Michael Wiley had 1 carry but it mattered. It was the only Dallas TD of the night, with a 46 yard scamper over left tackle. WRs - Joey Galloway looked to be the only reliable WR on the roster. Galloway also ran a productive reverse with :56 seconds remaining in the first half for Dallas's first 1st down. Antonio Bryant was often a target but seldom made the catch. He had one definite drop. The rest seemed like mistakes by the QB. He looked like a rookie WR, which of course, he is. TE - No catches by a TE for the Cowboys. Pass Defense - The pass defense had many penalties for big yardage to keep the Texans in the game. The blitzing defense was able to apply pressure on Carr for 5 sacks. Rush Defense - This is one area that the defense did well. The Texans had very little room to run and had many 3rd and long opportunities. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Houston Texans QB - David Carr did well for his first game in the NFL. Carr led the Texans to a TD on their first drive ever in a regular season game. Threw touchdowns to TE Billy Miller (19 yds) and Corey Bradford (65 yds). Carr would have had another TD for 60 yards if the ball hadn't of went threw a wide open Jermaine Lewis's hands. The lone interception was a short screen pass that bounced off the helmet of James Allen. RBs - James Allen started the game and carried the ball exclusively for the first three series. Jonathan Wells came in to share carries for the rest of the game. WRs - Corey Bradford is David Carr's number one man at this point in the season. He caught 4 passes for 99 yards. The very first play of the game was a long incomplete pass to Bradford that was called for pass interference. Jabbar Gaffney was a non factor with 1 reception for minus 3 yards. Jermaine Lewis only had one reception after letting the 60 yard TD pass go right though his hands. TEs - Billy Miller's only catch was on the opening drive TD pass for 19 yards. Miller was a factor on special teams, stripping and recovering a fumble on a kick off return. Pass Defense - Good cornerback play for Houston. Good pressure on Quincy Carter though out the game. Pass rush was able to record a safety late in the game to seal the win. Seth Payne came away with the only Texans pick. Rush Defense - Played extremely well, except for the 46 yard TD run by third string RB Michael Wiley.