Midway through the third quarter, the Texans led the Cowboys 23-13, and then Kamari Lassiter’s nightmare drive began, costing Houston four crucial points in a four-point loss that ultimately dropped them to a dismal 0-4. This wasn’t some bad luck; this was a series of plays that absolutely flipped the script in a game the Texans desperately needed to win.
Lassiter’s Costly Flags Haunt Houston’s Goal Line
The Texans had the Cowboys in a third-and-7 at the Houston 8-yard line, and it looked like they had gotten a crucial stop. But then, bang! Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who had already given up a 53-yard catch earlier in that same drive, got hit with a back-breaking pass interference call. Unbelievable. Houston actually held firm for the next three plays, pushing the Cowboys back two yards. But on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Lassiter again got flagged, this time for holding. You just can’t make this stuff up! Houston couldn’t hold them after that, and Javonte Williams punched it in for a touchdown, cutting the Texans’ lead to just three points. That whole sequence completely swung the game, one Dallas eventually stormed back to win in the final minute. The Texans did have some big momentum plays themselves, blocking a field goal attempt near the end of the first half and converting a third-and-14 hook-and-ladder for 21 yards to set up their own go-ahead touchdown with 2:26 left. But not getting that goal-line stop because of those penalties? That potentially cost them four points in a four-point loss. Lassiter is a talented, young player, but right now, he and the Texans are in a seriously dark place at 0-4.
Sirianni’s Controversial Call Leaves Eagles Empty-Handed
Across the league, another big momentum swing came with a head-scratching coaching decision. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni opted to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, instead of kicking a field goal, while leading the Rams 20-10 with 7:26 left in the game. Jalen Hurts’ pass fell incomplete, leaving the Eagles with a big fat zero points on that drive. Maybe Sirianni was trying to land the kill shot and make it a three-possession game, which isn’t the worst idea in theory. A field goal would have given the Eagles a 13-point lead. But the Rams ended up scoring two touchdowns after that stop, so it wasn’t just that one play that totally tilted the game by itself. Still, it definitely didn’t help. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, filling in for an injured Saquon Barkley, had been running effectively on that drive, just grinding away at the Rams’ defense. Plus, Hurts is one of the best short-yardage running quarterbacks in the game, though the Rams had stuffed a tush push attempt late in the third quarter, which must have been on Sirianni’s mind. And to make things even worse, Hurts’ timing on the third-and-goal play was messed up because Cam Juergens pulled too quickly, resulting in a no-gain.
These kinds of crucial calls and coaching decisions are the ultimate difference-makers in the NFL. For the Texans, sitting at a brutal 0-4, they’ve got to find a way to stop shooting themselves in the foot if they want to get out of this dark place. And for the Eagles, Sirianni’s aggressive mindset might need a second look in those key moments, especially when the ground game is already grinding.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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