Texans Blow Primetime Lead, Cowboys' Losing Streak Hits Four
Houston Texans Collapse in Primetime vs. Detroit Lions, While Cowboys Continue Four-Game Skid
In an intense Monday Night Football showdown, the Houston Texans (6-4) and Dallas Cowboys (3-6) face off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Texans, after a disappointing loss in their primetime matchup last week, are looking to regain momentum. The Cowboys, on the other hand, are mired in a four-game losing streak, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. The Texans enter as 7.5-point favorites, despite their own struggles in recent games.
Houston Texans Blow Big Lead in Loss to Lions
The Houston Texans looked in control for much of their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions, entering halftime with a commanding 23-7 lead. However, a disastrous second half saw Detroit dominate with a 19-0 run, resulting in a painful 26-23 loss for the Texans. The primary issue was a series of turnovers—five interceptions—by quarterback CJ Stroud, which stifled the offense and gave the defense little room to work.
Stroud, who had thrown for 232 yards and a touchdown, failed to protect the ball in the second half, throwing two additional interceptions after halftime. His struggles have been evident in recent weeks, as he has only two touchdown passes over the last four games. Despite the turnovers, Stroud’s overall season stats remain solid: 237.1 passing yards per game, with a 12-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, his lack of scoring production has hindered the offense.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans acknowledged the Texans’ inability to execute when it mattered most, stating, “We didn’t make the plays to win the game … to win games, guys have to step up and make plays and that’s not happening.”
While the Texans’ offense has been inconsistent, they can rely on a talented group of skill players. Running back Joe Mixon, despite missing a few games, has been a reliable force, averaging 93.6 yards per game with seven touchdowns. The return of wide receiver Nico Collins (567 receiving yards, two touchdowns) from injured reserve will provide a boost. Tank Dell, another key offensive weapon, will also be available after dealing with an injury.
Defensively, the Texans are middle of the pack, ranking 17th in scoring defense (22.6 points per game allowed). They’ve been solid at creating turnovers, with 13 interceptions led by safety Calen Bullock’s four picks. The pass rush has been a bright spot, with rookie Will Anderson Jr. leading the team with 7.5 sacks, helping the team to a total of 29 sacks.
Dallas Cowboys’ Struggles Intensify Without Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys are enduring a nightmare season, losing their fourth consecutive game in Week 10, this time to the Philadelphia Eagles (34-6). The injury bug has bitten the Cowboys hard, with quarterback Dak Prescott undergoing season-ending surgery on his hamstring. With Prescott sidelined, backup Cooper Rush will take over as the starting quarterback, though Trey Lance is also available should the Cowboys decide to switch things up.
Rush’s performance in the loss to the Eagles was dismal—he completed just 13 of 23 passes for 45 yards. Meanwhile, Trey Lance, who replaced him late in the game, had minimal success, throwing for just 21 yards and an interception. The Cowboys’ inability to move the ball through the air was glaring, and it’s clear that the team will need to lean heavily on the running game moving forward.
Rico Dowdle, who leads the Cowboys’ backfield with 374 rushing yards, will be expected to carry more of the load. Dowdle hasn’t found the end zone as a rusher but has been a threat in the receiving game, with three receiving touchdowns. The Cowboys also have Ezekiel Elliott, who returned to the team this season. Although his explosiveness has diminished, Elliott is still useful as a short-yardage and power-back option.
Despite the offensive struggles, the Cowboys still boast one of the league’s top defenses. Defensive standout Micah Parsons, who leads the team with three sacks, continues to draw double teams, making it harder for him to break through. However, the Cowboys’ defense has been on the field too often, as their offense remains ineffective. Dallas ranks a concerning 31st in the league in points allowed (28.8 per game).
Conclusion
While both teams have issues on offense, the key to this game could be how the Texans’ defense performs against the Cowboys’ patchwork quarterback situation. With Cooper Rush at the helm, the Cowboys will struggle to find consistency in the passing game, and the Texans’ secondary, which leads the team with 13 interceptions, will likely have an opportunity to make plays.
The Texans’ pass rush, led by Will Anderson Jr., will be crucial in putting pressure on the Cowboys’ quarterbacks. If they can force Rush and Lance into making mistakes, the Texans should be able to capitalize and control the game. Additionally, the Texans’ defensive line, which has totaled 29 sacks, will need to disrupt Dallas’s running game to force the Cowboys into passing situations.
On the other side, the Cowboys’ defense will need to step up, as the Texans’ offense has the potential to exploit their weaknesses. While the Cowboys rank a solid 7th in total defense, they will be tested by Stroud and his weapons, especially with Collins returning to the field.
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