After a heartbreaker in Rio, the Dallas Cowboys are looking to bounce back against the winless Houston Texans, who have found themselves in desperate times as they attempt to save their season. It’s a big game for both teams as the walls are already closing in despite the month of October just beginning. A loss on Sunday will be a devastating blow for whichever team falls short, and we plead that it’s not the Cowboys.
Here are five things to watch in Sunday’s in-state battle.
1. Shut down the run
The Texans have been abysmal
on the ground this season, averaging just 85 yards per game. That’s third-worst in the league. The Cowboys’ defense, on the other hand, has surrendered a staggering 180 rushing yards per game, ranking second-to-last in the league. On paper, this looks like a perfect get-right opportunity for Houston and running back David Montgomery, but the Cowboys hope to show otherwise.
The inflated rushing deficiencies from the Cowboys’ defense have a lot to do with their inability to stop the quarterback when he escapes the pocket, not the running backs. Look for Quinnen Williams to silence his critics with a massive game as he’ll feast on a favorable matchup against the Texans rookie guard Keylan Rutledge.
2. Trouble on the outside
Led by the incredible duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, the Texans’ edge rush is no joke. This ferocious group ranks near the top of the league with nine sacks and an impressive 22.1% pressure rate. So far, the Cowboys’ offensive tackles have held their own, particularly left tackle Tyler Guyton, who has looked sharp.
However, this game serves as their biggest test, and it would not be shocking if Terence Steele struggles mightily with Anderson. He’s just outmatched. All we can hope for is that offensive coordinator Klayton Adams has a plan to give Steele some extra help on the edge. If he doesn’t, it could spell trouble, and fans will start crying out for former Steelers’ tackle Broderick Jones to take over at right tackle.
3. Stranding Stroud
Until the defense figures out a way to contain the quarterback, this will remain a regular headline each week. Keeping Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud from getting loose will be crucial because if the Houston defense gives the Cowboys’ offense problems, points could be hard to come by. Getting the Texans off the field is an absolute must. They cannot afford to hand over extra possessions due to sloppy containment.
The good news is that Stroud is nowhere near the runner that the Cowboys have faced over the last few weeks. He averages just 18 yards per game on the ground, which is actually two yards less than Dak Prescott. But the overall volume of yards is not the main concern. If Stroud gets loose and extends plays, scrambles on third down, and picks up crucial yards to move the chains, it could ruin our afternoon. The Cowboys’ defense is dead last in getting off the field on third down with a miserable 59% conversion rate.
4. The ex-Steeler X-Factor
Recently acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is the former Steelers player everyone is eager to see on Sunday, especially with the timing lining up perfectly for him to potentially shadow a returning Nico Collins. Conversely, Broderick Jones is the former Steeler nobody wants to see, because if he trots out onto the field, it means things have gone horribly wrong up front.
But do not forget that Dallas already has another former Steelers playmaker with massive big-game ability. The Houston defense is elite at shutting down the run and harassing quarterbacks. They are going to cause headaches.
However, they are prone to giving up deep passing plays, and George Pickens is the perfect weapon to exploit that flaw. While it has been the CeeDee Lamb show for the first three weeks, expect Pickens to finally enjoy his first big game of the season.
5. Wake up the pass rush
The Dallas pass rush has been practically non-existent so far, and that has put a real strain on the defense. Even Sam Williams, whom the team cut and who is now a member of the Cleveland Browns, has as many sacks as the entire Dallas defensive line combined. That’s depressing.
If there was ever a golden opportunity to get the defensive front going, it is this matchup. The Houston offensive line has already allowed 10 sacks this year, which is the second-most in the league. Stroud is constantly under duress, and if the defense can stymie the Texans’ ground game on early downs and force clear passing situations, the pass rush might finally hit home.
