Peyton Manning's reaction says it all: "Are you kidding me?"
The “ManningCast” returned on Monday night with Peyton and Eli Manning sharing their unfiltered thoughts during the Texans vs. Cowboys matchup. And Peyton, as always, delivered.
Early in the game, Nico Collins electrified the field with a 77-yard touchdown on a perfectly executed screen pass. The crowd erupted. The Texans sideline celebrated. Even the broadcast booth buzzed with excitement. But then came the dreaded yellow flag.
An ineligible man downfield penalty erased the highlight-worthy play and sent Peyton and Eli into a familiar state of exasperation.
“Are you kidding me? What’s the flag? What is the flag?” Eli Manning said. His frustration was the collective groan of Texans fans everywhere.
And frankly, he had a point. The play was a thing of beauty, one that could’ve set the tone for Houston’s night. Instead, it became yet another moment showcasing how penalties can derail momentum in the NFL.
It wasn’t just the Texans facing adversity early in the game. The Dallas Cowboys stumbled out of the gate in spectacular fashion, giving up that same 77-yard touchdown (albeit nullified) and then immediately conceding a 45-yard rushing touchdown to Joe Mixon. The Cowboys’ defense looked lost, and their offense didn’t fare much better.
Dallas attempted a desperate fake punt on fourth-and-9, which went about as well as you’d expect—Texans receiver John Metchie III obliterated Juanyeh Thomas before he could even think about reaching the first-down marker.
Even the AT&T Stadium roof couldn’t keep it together, with pieces of metal reportedly falling long before kickoff. Peyton’s frustration seemed to encapsulate the night’s chaotic energy.
The Texans used their early momentum to dominate Dallas 34-10, proving that Nico Collins’ nullified touchdown was only the beginning of their offensive showcase. C.J. Stroud played efficiently with 257 passing yards, and Joe Mixon capitalized with three rushing touchdowns.
As for the Cowboys, their 3-1 record during ManningCast appearances took its first hit, and it was as ugly as it gets. Cooper Rush’s interception summed up the night—sloppy execution and missed opportunities.
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