The Dallas Cowboys welcome the Houston Texans to town this week.
The Cowboys (9-3) come into this week winners of three in a row. The Texans (1-10-1) limp into this matchup as 16.5-point underdogs. Houston has the worst record in football, and there is no way to sugarcoat how bad this football team is.
The Texans became the first team to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs this season. Shocker, right? It is hard to pinpoint anything the Texans do routinely well on either side of the ball.
The Dallas Cowboys are favored by 17 points over the Houston Texans
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 6, 2022
If I had to pick one bright spot, it would be Dameon Pierce. The rookie has started all 12 games this season and rushed for 861 yards on nearly 200 carries. He has only found the end-zone three times but is averaging almost five yards every time he runs the rock.
Expect the Texans to have the same offensive game plan with Pierce as the Colts just had with Jonathan Taylor. Run early and often. Pierce has two games where he eclipsed over 130 yards on the ground. Week nine against the Eagles, and week four against the Chargers. On the flip side, he also rushed for only eight yards twice in November. It has been a struggle for them.
With the Cowboys losing Anthony brown for the season, this matchup with the Texans is PERFECT to let others get their feet wet and see if they can produce and get a feel for game speed against one of the worst groups in football.
Brandin Cooks is Houston's leading receiver this season. He has 44 receptions on 71 targets for 520 yards and only one touchdown. Yikes.
Kelvin Joseph, who replaced Brown after his injury last week, will get the first chance, and we all know how the fans already feel about him. Nahshon Wright is another name to watch who might get an opportunity; he has been working with cornerbacks coach Al Harris to develop more.
They could also try and move rookie DaRon Bland outside, and he has played nickel since losing Jourdan Lewis in October. There is plenty to keep our eyes on during this matchup that won't close.
It is hard to find things the Texans do well. Their offense outside of Pierce is a nonfactor, they have started both Kyle Allen and David Mills this season, and nothing has worked.
They average the second-lowest points per game this season and only score 15.7 points per contest. You already know the defense is licking its chops to continue to dominate against one of the worst offensive football teams in football.
The team also activated the 21-day practice window on Tyron Smith this week. Those around the team said depending on how he goes about this week; he might have the chance to suit up again soon.
"We're looking forward to having Tyron back out there on Wednesday." – MM
The #Cowboys will activate the 21-day practice window on Tyron Smith this week, as Jerry Jones noted on Sunday, and team will see how he progresses before deciding on Texans matchup.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 5, 2022
The Cowboys are making a habit of scoring 30-plus, and the Texans haven't scored more than 17 points in their last six games. They might get a score late and cover the 16.5-point spread, but I expect Dallas to run away with this game early.
This game won't be close. The Cowboys win 37-17.
