The Dallas Cowboys earned a dramatic 34-30 comeback win over the Houston Texans in Week 4. However, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the victory deserves more context.
Dallas erased a 16-6 halftime deficit and won on Dak Prescott’s 12-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb with 40 seconds remaining. The victory moved the Cowboys to 2-2 through four NFL games.
Prescott and Lamb carried the offense throughout the comeback. Lamb finished with a career-high 17 receptions, while Prescott delivered the decisive throw late.
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Orlovsky praised the offensive production but questioned how much Houston’s defense contributed to Dallas’ success.
“We talked about how impressive CeeDee and Dak were,” Orlovsky said on ESPN’s First Take. “I’m also telling you there was not much resistance from Houston’s defense when it comes to defending CeeDee Lamb.”
He pointed to the coverage Dallas faced throughout the game. “We’re not putting hands on CeeDee. We’re giving CeeDee tons of cushion,” Orlovsky said. “I have like seven or eight plays where it’s just easy access throws.”
Orlovsky questions Dallas Cowboys’ place in the NFC
Orlovsky also focused on the Cowboys’ defensive performance against Houston. Dallas allowed 30 points despite facing an offense he does not consider elite.
“This is not a juggernaut offense,” Orlovsky said. “I’d like to reiterate C.J. Stroud playing better than 0-4.”
That concern matters because Dallas has now allowed at least 30 points in each of its two losses. The defense must improve before the Cowboys can be considered among the NFC’s top teams.
Orlovsky believes several NFC teams remain ahead of Dallas based on what the film shows.
“They’re not better than San Francisco. No, they’re not better than Seattle,” he said. “No, they’re not better than the Rams. No, they’re not better than Chicago.”
He also mentioned Minnesota and argued that five or six NFC teams currently look better than Dallas. He said, “So we can claim all we want great win. I’m still putting five or six teams in the NFC through the first month that are just by tape, better football teams.”
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The Cowboys have offensive firepower, but their defense remains the bigger question. Their next stretch will show whether Week 4 marked progress or simply another high-scoring escape.
