Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys Preview
This Monday night, the Houston Texans will face the Dallas Cowboys in what promises to be an exciting matchup at 8:15 p.m. EST on ESPN. The Texans are currently 6-4 and are favored by 7.5 points according to BetMGM, while the Cowboys find themselves struggling at 3-6. Historically, the Cowboys lead the series 4-2. The two teams last met on December 11, 2022, where the Cowboys triumphed with a score of 27-23 in Arlington, Texas.
In their most recent games, the Texans fell to the Lions with a close score of 26-23, while the Cowboys suffered a heavy defeat against the Eagles, losing 34-6. The Texans’ offense ranks 15th overall, with 18th in rushing, 15th in passing, and 17th in scoring. Defensively, the Texans are 3rd overall, 11th against the run, 4th against the pass, and 19th in scoring. In contrast, the Cowboys’ offense sits at 21st overall, struggling particularly in the run game ranked at 31st, but they are 10th in passing. Their defense, however, has faced challenges, ranking 26th overall, 31st against the run, 11th against the pass, and a disappointing 31st in scoring.
A notable player to watch for the Texans is running back Joe Mixon. Coming off a tough game against the Lions where he averaged only 1.8 yards per carry, Mixon will be looking to rebound against a much weaker run defense. His previous performance against the Colts showed his potential to exploit bad defenses, as he racked up 102 rushing yards. He has consistently scored in all five games since returning from injury, establishing his touchdown-scoring capabilities.
On the Cowboys’ side, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is an important figure, especially following the season-ending injury to quarterback Dak Prescott. In the first game without Prescott, the Cowboys’ passing game struggled significantly, yielding only 49 passing yards—their lowest since 2001. Lamb caught six passes but gained only 21 yards, highlighting the offense’s challenges. Without improvements, Dallas risks further diminishing its playoff hopes.
The matchup to focus on will be between Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Parsons made a strong return from injury and impressed with two sacks against the Eagles, showcasing his importance on defense. Meanwhile, Stroud, despite recent struggles, has demonstrated his mobility with a solid performance on the ground. However, he has had difficulty in passing accuracy, posting only two touchdowns and two interceptions over his last four games.
In terms of injuries, Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has been sidelined for five games due to a hamstring issue but seems close to returning. The Cowboys are dealing with their own injuries, as left guard Tyler Smith was seen working with a trainer, while linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is expected to play after a knee injury.
Taking a broader view of the series, the Cowboys have enjoyed recent success, winning four of the last five encounters since the Texans’ inaugural game in 2002. Historically, the Cowboys have not fared well at home this season, with an 0-4 record, which has not happened since their disastrous 1989 season. They aim to break the streak as they prepare for another meeting that could shift their outlook this season.
With both teams struggling, the Texans and Cowboys have combined for just one win over the last month. Houston has dropped to a 1-3 record since their strong start, but they still lead the AFC South. Conversely, the Cowboys’ playoff ambitions are rapidly diminishing with a four-game losing streak, marking their weakest performance since 2020. This match will also mark a significant moment for Cooper Rush, who is set to start for Dallas. The Cowboys are looking to improve their fortunes as they host the Texans on a prime-time stage.
Fantasy enthusiasts might want to consider Stroud, as opposing quarterbacks have averaged over two touchdown passes in the latest five home games for Dallas. Despite recent inconsistencies, Stroud is expected to have opportunities to score points.