Upbeat Cowboys Report Card: 'GOTI' Grades For Explosion In Week 4 Win

The Dallas Cowboys moved to .500 on Sunday after a stirring 34-30 win over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium thanks to an historic day from CeeDee Lamb (17 receptions, 189 yards, 1 TD).

The Cowboys' offense stuttered in the first half, but "GOTI'' - Dallas' boastful "Greatest Offense There Is'' nickname - came to life in the second, as Dak Prescott led a game-winning drive, hitting 88 for the go-ahead score with 40 seconds left.

The defense also again showed positive signs, but also some not-so-good signs, but this time, when it mattered, both sides made the plays they needed to, and now Dallas is 2-2.

Prior to the game, we highlighted five things the Cowboys had to do in order to walk out with a win. Let's see how they did.

1 - Offense has to stay on the field: Grade A

I thought about a B here after the up-and-down first half that saw them score just six points and be 3/9 on third down.

But in the second half, GOTI came to play, as Dallas scored touchdowns on four of their five possessions, with the offense rolling with one drive going 96 yards and taking over eight minutes off the clock.

The costly three-and-out late threatened to be the drive that crippled Dallas, but Dak led a 16-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a Lamb touchdown to put the Cowboys ahead 34-30 with 40 seconds left.

When the team needed the offense, finally, they came through.

Oh, and they were 4/4 in the red zone too.

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2 - Win the turnover battle: Grade D

Now, I'm counting the blocked field goal and missed field goal as "turnovers"; otherwise, there were none, and the Cowboys' special teams need a serious rocket up the backside.

Given that the actual turnover margin will be 0-0 on the stat sheet, the Cowboys' missteps may have been the reason they lost.

That has to tighten up.

3 - Red-zone battle key: Grade A

Despite the offense's up-and-down nature, the Cowboys were automatic in the red zone in Houston.

Dak and Co. went 4/4, and the Texans were 2/2 so I'm giving Dallas the edge simply because of that final drive.

When the Cowboys needed it, they went for the win and didn't play safe.

From now on Mr. Schottenheimer, that's how you drive.

4 - Get after Stroud: Grade B

The Cowboys didn't have much of a pass rush (surprise, surprise), but the defense did make plays.

A total of two sacks, but they came in big moments from Rashan Gary and Quinnen Williams (big sack on third down).

Again, it wasn't a polished or even good performance from the defense, but they are slowly making more plays each week, and at times, when Christian Parker brought the pressure, they forced Stroud to dump the ball into the ground.

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5 - Offense needs to fire on all cylinders: Grade B 

I wanted to give them an A, but that first half was about as bad as it gets with only six points.

But in the second half, Dallas, I mean CeeDee Lamb, cooked the Texans' defense.

They scored 28 points, scored touchdowns on four of their five possessions, and hung 34 points on a Houston defense that had their number in the first half.   

Scoring back-to-back touchdowns to begin the second half gave them life, and Prescott was the true definition of a $60 million quarterback late.

The three-and-out with seven minutes left was yuck, as it was a chance to drive a stake through the heart, as they stumbled.

Otherwise, Dallas, on offense, was perfect.