The Dallas Cowboys came back from Brazil losers and have to go on the road in Week 4, but luckily, they won’t be traveling too far. In-state rivals, the Houston Texans, are next up on the schedule as the Cowboys try to right the ship on the season.
Despite the 0-3 record, it won’t be easy to beat the Texans, who have lost two of their games late in the fourth quarter. It’s a team that should not be underestimated as they are just as desperate for a win as the Cowboys. Here are three reasons to hate the matchup with the Texans in Week 4.
Devastating pass rush
The Texans have one of the league’s best defenses, and their pass rush is especially frightening. Coming into the week, the Texans were third in the NFL in sacks with 11, and they have one of the best one-two punches
coming off the edge.
Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter have combined for 5.5 sacks through three games this season after being the leading tandem in the league last year with 27. Anderson is considered a top 5 edge rusher in the league and will be a handful for a Cowboys’ offensive line still trying to find its groove.
Keeping quarterback Dak Prescott clean in the pocket will be one of the keys for the Cowboys to win the game. If they can’t do that, it might be a tough afternoon for Dallas’ offense.
Nico Collins returns
Life, death, taxes, and top players returning against the Cowboys, are all part the life cycle. Collins has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but appears poised to suit up in Week 4. This comes on the heels of Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers coming back to play against the Cowboys last week.
Nico Collins #Texans back to practice pic.twitter.com/DFWeH6OwAr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 30, 2026
That’s bad news for a secondary that ranks as one of the worst in the league and is trying to battle through injuries. Even if the newly acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. can find his way into the lineup, he hasn’t played yet this season and would be trying to learn a new system on the fly.
Collins is one of the game’s best WRs, he has produced three straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving and six touchdowns. It’ll be a challenge for Christian Parker’s defense to slow down Collins.
Elite secondary
Another strength of the Texans’ defense in their secondary, which boasts two Pro Bowl players, and a third who is a perennial Pro Bowl performer.
Derek Stingley is one of the best CBs in the league and is a two-time All-Pro. He has yet to intercept a pass this season but has 15 through his first four years plus while lining up against top receivers.
Kamari Lassiter is another Pro Bowl CB, he has seven career picks in two plus seasons in the league.
Caelen Bullock and Jalen Pitre are both underrated safeties who have a combined 19 interceptions, while in their third, and fifth seasons, respectively. They comprise one of the best safety units in the league.
It’s an elite, ball hawking secondary that can challenge the Cowboys’ passing game. Few teams have the type of backend the Texans have, which can make life difficult for Prescott and the offense.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys vs Texans: 3 reasons to hate the matchup in Week 4
