Jalen Carter "not even thinking" about ejection in last meeting with Cowboys
The Cowboys are likely to see a lot more of Jalen Carter in Week 12 than they did in their season-opening loss to the Eagles.
Carter didn't play a snap in that game because he was ejected for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott while the two engaged in some banter before Dallas' first offensive play. During a session with the media on Thursday, Carter said he is "not even thinking" about anything having to do with that matchup as he prepares for what he hopes will be an extended matchup with the Cowboys.
"We're not worried about that," Carter said. "We're here where we at right now. And, at the end of the day, everyone is playing so that's all we're worried about."
Given how well the Eagles defense played in wins over the Packers and Lions, the Cowboys probably wouldn't mind seeing Carter or one of his teammates rule themselves out of Sunday's game but it seems unlikely that lightning will strike twice in the matchup of NFC East rivals.
Calen Bullock forced three turnovers for Houston, giving them 19 overall this season - only Chicago (22) have more [Reuters]
NFL 2025 season: Week 12
BBC coverage: Live text commentary of Sunday's games on the BBC Sport website and app (from 17:30 GMT). Also live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds of Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys (from 21:00 GMT).
The Houston Texans' defence gave Josh Allen a torrid time as they claimed a 23-19 win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Texans sacked last season's Most Valuable Player eight times - the most the Bills quarterback has endured in a single game - and claimed two interceptions.
Both were by Houston safety Calen Bullock, who also forced a fumble, with his second interception at the death ensuring the hosts held on for victory after leading 20-16 at half-time.
Former Super Bowl favourites Buffalo have a record of seven wins and four defeats, after losing four of their past seven games, while Houston are now 6-5.
Although their starting quarterback CJ Stroud missed a fourth game following a concussion, back-up Davis Mills led the Texans to a third straight win, giving them a winning record for the first time this season.
Bills running back James Cook had a game-high 116 rushing yards, opening the scoring with a 45-yard touchdown.
The two sides exchanged field goals before Mills found Christian Kirk for a two-yard touchdown, and Bullock intercepted Allen with the Texans' Ka'imi Fairbairn kicking another field goal from the resulting possession.
Ray Davis returned the kick-off for a 97-yard touchdown to help the Bills into a 16-13 lead, but the Texans hit straight back with Mills making an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins five seconds before the end of the first half.
Bullock knocked the ball out of Khalil Shakir's grasp and the Texans recovered it, with Fairbairn kicking a third field goal at the end of the third quarter.
And although the Bills cut the deficit with a field goal and got in position to score a game-winning touchdown with 24 seconds left, Allen was picked off by Bullock for his ninth interception of the season and fifth in three games.
Houston finished with 12 quarterback hits and Allen will face an in-form Pittsburgh Steelers defence next week.
"I don't like that stat at all," said Buffalo's head coach Sean McDermott. "It's not a good way to keep our quarterback healthy for the rest of the season. We've got to play better."
Thursday Night Football: Texans sack Josh Allen, Bills 23-19
The Texans sacked Josh Allen eight times, hit him 12 times, intercepted him twice and forced and recovered a fumble by Khalil Shakir. Still, it came down to the end as the Texans held on for a 23-19 victory over the Bills.
It was Houston's third consecutive win, with all three coming without C.J. Stroud, as the Texans climbed back to 6-5. The Bills fell to 7-4.
The Bills managed to make it a game, even though the Texans felt in control the final three quarters.
Buffalo stayed alive on fourth-and-27 with 51 seconds left on a trick play, with Joshua Palmer catching a short pass and lateraling to Khalil Shakir for a 33-yard gain to the Houston 26. Gabe Davis nearly made a miraculous catch inside the 5-yard line on the next play, but he got only one foot down in bounds.
That was as close as the Bills would get against a relentless Texans defense that saw Will Anderson get 2.5 sacks of Allen and Danielle Hunter contribute two more.
Calen Bullock made his second interception of Allen on fourth-and-6 from the Houston 22 with 18 seconds left.
Allen finished 24-of-34 for 253 yards and two interceptions. Shakir caught eight passes for 110 yards, and James Cook ran 17 times for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Mills completed 16 of 30 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, an 8-yarder to Jayden Higgins and a 2-yarder to Christian Kirk. Nico Collins caught three passes for 55 yards, and Woody Marks ran for 74 yards on 16 carries.
