The importance of counterplay

I don't remember which video it was on chess.com, but I recall one of the tips being to seek counterplay if you're in a bad position and under attack. It reminded me of what my old wrestling coach used to say, "The best defense is a good offense." Prior to that I would focus soley on trying to fend off the attacks and improve my bad position. At least in these examples it worked.

In this game I'm playing black against a 1762 opponent. That might be the highest rated player I've beat. I think he was so focused on his attack he underestimated the counterplay I was developing.

On the 11th move I was already in trouble.

On move 24 I think he should have recaptured with his rook to pin my light squared bishop?

On move 26 I think capturing my bishop, allowing my queen to come in was a mistake.

On move 28, perhaps QC2 would have been better, protecting the D-pawn and critical H-pawn? It would have also threatened my C-pawn with check should I move my knight.

On move 34, wouldn't RxC7 instead of BxC7+ have won outright for him? Threatening a discovery and mate in 1.

Can someone opine how he might have dealt with my H-pawn push? Anyway, here it is.

This next one is live chess, 15/10 time control. Again I'm having to fend off aggressive attacks. I'm playing white. Once again I'm in a bad position and fending off attacks early. 

On move 19 I make a dumb move that loses a tempo (I saw it right after I moved).

On 27...d5 I missed the discovered attack and lose the exchange, and also lose much of my control of the A-file. On the flip side, I gained a pawn and opened a hole to his king. Adequate compensation? 

On move 38 I thought my attack was fizzling, but I was happy to notice that king-takes-pawn would allow g5 to simultaneously threaten his bishop and threaten mate. He ended up missing the second part.

Here it is :)

Comments, feedback and things I missed are greatly appreciated!