An in-state matchup takes place in Texas Sunday when the Cowboys take on the Texans. The Cowboys lead the all time series 3-1, and have won the last 3 contests.
The Cowboys are coming off a close game with the Lions, in which they won 26-24. In week 2, the Boys beat the Giants 20-13, and lost week 3 24-13 to the Seahawks.
The Texans are relishing in their first win of the season, a 37-34 overtime W against the Colts. The Texans lost 20-17 to the Titans in week 2, and lost 27-22 to the Giants in week 3.
Vegas currently Texans as 3 point favourites at home, with an O/U of 45.
The Cowboys offense is very hot and cold. Last week was their best showing this season, and was directly tied to Ezekiel Elliot’s performance. Dak Prescott is leading a passing attack ranked 30th in the NFL with 166.5 yards per game.
Prescott has just 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, and the Cowboys rank last in passing plays of 20+ yards. He lacks any production from his receivers, as the offense lacks creative route concepts and they struggle to gain separation.
Elliot had a career day Sunday in terms of yards from scrimmage with 240 (152 rushing, 88 receiving). The offensive line has been pretty good from a pass blocking standpoint, as most of Dak’s sacks have resulted in him holding the ball too long (waiting for
someone to get open).
The defense continues to play at a high level, and this front can really get after you. DeMarcus Lawrence is tied for the NFL lead with 6 sacks, and the Cowboys have gotten 8 sacks from everyone else. After moving from safety, Byron Jones has been a lockdown corner thus far, allowing just 51 yards on 16 targets.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
CB Chidobe Awuzie (ankle) – questionable
WR Cole Beasley (ankle) – questionable
LB Sean Lee (hamstring) – doubtful
The Texans could be 3-1 as easily as they could be 0-4. Things have just not fallen their way, despite Deshaun Watson’s hero ball attempts. Watson has really carried this team, scrambling around and making plays. Watson ranks 9th in the league with 1246 passing yards, and owns a 7-4 TD-INT ratio, and has added 160 rushing yards and a TD. On the line, tackles Martinas Rankin and Julie’n Davenport have been disastrous, combining for 45 allowed pressures, 12 QB hits, and 5 sacks.
The return of J.J. Watt has helped this defense immensely, and he isn’t even playing at his peak. He is tied with DeMarcus Lawrence with 6 sacks. Jadeveon Clowney has come back to earth after his breakout 2017, and Whitney Mercilus isn’t providing the same threat he has in the past either. The secondary hasn’t impressed, and has just 1 interception on the season, and are allowing 8.1 yards per attempt.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
CB Aaron Colvin (ankle)- out
WR DeAndre Hopkins (thumb)- questionable
WR Will Fuller V (hamstring)- questionable
This could be a slopfest. Between the Cowboys offensive woes, and the Texans turnstile tackles, this could be an ugly football game. If what we saw last week continues, I have high hopes for the Cowboys. If they can get Zeke the ball in favorable running schemes, and get him involved in the passing game he should feast on a Texans D that has been torched by running backs in the passing game. J.J. Watt could be a game wrecker, but the Texans have not shown that they have any other playmakers on that side of the ball.
Another week, another game of Deshaun Watson running for his life. DeMarcus Lawrence should demolish Julie’n Davenport, and Taco Charlton has a favorable matchup on the other side against Martinas Rankin. Byron Jones plays primarily at left corner, and the Texans should attempt to have DeAndre Hopkins line up on the other side of the field at all costs. The Cowboys should cover here, and potentially win as long as we get the same Dak Prescott we got last week.
Final Pick: Cowboys (+3)
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