Texans at Cowboys: Final Thoughts and Score Prediction
A showdown with the Cowboys might be just what the offense ordered
The Houston Texans can’t lose to the Cowboys and have anyone believe this season is going anywhere. There’s another element though. The Texans also need style points for this matchup.
The offense has been sputtering for weeks. The time spent near the league's top for passing offense seems to be only a distant memory. C.J. Stroud is running for his life behind a porous offensive line. The absence of star wideout Nico Collins and the injury to Stefon Diggs has sapped any explosiveness from the pass catchers.
The Dallas Cowboys are putrid on defense. They’re 31st in scoring defense and rush defense. The Cowboys offense is struggling too. Dak Prescott is done for the season leaving Cooper Rush as the starter. The dominant defense for the Texans should create some great field position for the offense.
If Houston can’t get going against this opponent why would there be any belief in the offense from now on?
Collins making his way back onto the field will help, but he isn’t solving every issue. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has to improve midseason like he did last year. The offensive line is a challenge but he has to manage around that issue. He must trust Stroud more than he has to this point. Last week against the Detroit Lions the offense felt timid at times and too trusting of a struggling rushing attack.
The offensive line change last week cratered the run game. That must change as well. Joe Mixon has been a juggernaut for this team and this team has to run the ball well to succeed. Micah Parsons is a challenge, but Houston can’t let one player ruin their offense.
It is very much now-or-never territory for the offense. These three games before the bye week represent an opportunity to start the offensive turnaround. If it doesn’t start tonight, the Texans might be stuck underperforming on offense.
Score Prediction
The Texans will win 31-12. That might not seem like a lot but for a struggling offense that’s plenty. Nico Collins will make a huge difference for C.J. Stroud. The quarterback trusts him, he can win quicker than the other wideouts, and he’s excellent on the scramble drill. DeMeco Ryans declared he wants to see Stroud rip it this week and see it he shall. The Cowboys won’t be able to move the ball but I like their kicker. Big night for him. It’s not amazing, but it’s a start.
We will soon find out just how much Slowik really trusts CJ to "Let It Rip".
Personally I believe CJ has the "football IQ" to make "adjustments" at the line for whatever a Cowgirl defense can throw at him.
Even without Diggs we STILL have an amazing set of weapons on offense.........As long as CJ "Lets It Rip" before the O-Line collapses he, and his weapons, should destroy and embarrass the toddlers in Dallas.
Defensively I have no concerns what-so-ever.......DeMeco may call the base defenses but we all know HE trusts his "Mike" to make adjustments at the line pre-snap.
After tonight Jerry could clean house in Dallas and start over.....He may be so mad he might even fire the cheerleaders???
We'll find out what our Texans are made of in about 4-5 hours from now???
KEEPING THE FAITH!!!!
GO TEXANS!!!!
If this one is close, like a one score game, I’ll be disappointed. The Cowboys are a mess. If the Texans get out of their own way, this should be a blow out. Pedal to the metal… like Detroit did to Titans… killer instinct, take no prisoners. Decisive win. Nothing less.