Exascor
Veteran
Source
5. Houston 19, Dallas 10, 2002
If first impressions are everything, the Texans got off to the kind of start that dreams are made of, beating their cross-state rivals in a nationally televised game at Houston's spanking new Reliant Stadium. The Texans became only the second expansion team in the league's modern era to win their first game, joining the 1961 Minnesota Vikings.
The game was a defensive struggle throughout. The Cowboys punted 10 times and the Texans had to kick it away at the end of nine drives. But there were a few offensive highlights. Texans rookie quarterback David Carr hit tight end Billy Miller on a 19-yard touchdown pass just three plays into the game, and later found receiver Corey Bradford from 65 yards out for the winning points early in the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys' disappointing start established the tone for their third consecutive 5-11 season under head coach Dave Campo, who was relieved of his duties at the end of 2002. Campo's fate was sealed with the loss to the neophyte Texans, and by late November Dallas owner Jerry Jones had made contact with Bill Parcells about coming out of retirement to lead his struggling franchise.
5. Houston 19, Dallas 10, 2002
If first impressions are everything, the Texans got off to the kind of start that dreams are made of, beating their cross-state rivals in a nationally televised game at Houston's spanking new Reliant Stadium. The Texans became only the second expansion team in the league's modern era to win their first game, joining the 1961 Minnesota Vikings.
The game was a defensive struggle throughout. The Cowboys punted 10 times and the Texans had to kick it away at the end of nine drives. But there were a few offensive highlights. Texans rookie quarterback David Carr hit tight end Billy Miller on a 19-yard touchdown pass just three plays into the game, and later found receiver Corey Bradford from 65 yards out for the winning points early in the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys' disappointing start established the tone for their third consecutive 5-11 season under head coach Dave Campo, who was relieved of his duties at the end of 2002. Campo's fate was sealed with the loss to the neophyte Texans, and by late November Dallas owner Jerry Jones had made contact with Bill Parcells about coming out of retirement to lead his struggling franchise.