The state of football in Texas has taken an unexpected turn as both the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys are reeling heading into their Week 11 showdown on Monday night.
While Houston has cooled off after a hot start, Dallas finds itself in full-blown crisis mode. The outcome of this intrastate rivalry could serve as a pivotal moment for either team—either a bounce-back win to reignite hope or another loss to deepen the woes. Here are four key storylines to watch for when the Texans visit the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Monday night.
1) C.J. Stroud Aims for Redemption with Nico Collins Back in the Fold
After a promising start to his career, C.J. Stroud’s sophomore season has hit a rough patch. The rookie sensation has struggled in recent weeks, with his passer rating of 72.8 since Week 7 ranking among the lowest in the league for quarterbacks with 100 or more attempts. Much of Stroud’s difficulties can be traced back to his inability to handle pressure. He’s been pressured on 41.5% of his dropbacks this season, the highest rate in the NFL.
This week, Stroud will have to contend with a Cowboys defense that ranks among the top five in pressure percentage. Fortunately for Stroud, he will have Nico Collins back in the lineup after a hamstring injury sidelined him for several weeks. The Texans’ offense has suffered without Collins, as Stroud has posted a pedestrian 77.1 passer rating and a 57.9% completion rate in the five games since his injury. With Collins, however, Stroud’s numbers jump to a 70.5% completion rate and a 107.0 passer rating. Getting his top wideout back could help Stroud get back on track, but he will need to find a way to handle the Cowboys’ relentless pass rush if he’s to avoid further struggles.
2) Cooper Rush’s Performance Could Determine Dallas’ QB Future
The Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback situation has become one of the league’s most intriguing storylines. With Dak Prescott officially out for the season, Cooper Rush will be thrust back into the starting role, but his leash could be short. Rush has had his moments, notably in 2022 when he went 4-1 as a starter in Prescott’s absence, but he also had a forgettable outing last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, managing just 45 passing yards and losing two fumbles.
Rush’s performance against the Texans will be critical—not just for this game but potentially for the remainder of the season. If Rush falters again, Dallas could be forced to explore other options, including Trey Lance, whom they traded for two offseasons ago. While Lance didn’t fare much better in limited action against the Eagles, he represents an unknown element that the Cowboys may be forced to investigate if Rush can’t turn things around. The Texans’ defense will be a challenge for Rush, but he must rise to the occasion if the Cowboys are to salvage their playoff hopes.
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3) Houston’s Defense Set to Exploit Dallas’ Offensive Struggles
While the Texans’ offense has taken a step back, their defense has been a bright spot all season. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. have been wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks, with Hunter leading the league in pressures. The rookie Anderson has had a breakout year, and together, they form a lethal pass-rushing duo. The Cowboys’ offensive line will have its hands full trying to protect Rush from the relentless Houston pass rush, especially considering the Texans’ ability to collapse the pocket quickly.
Houston’s secondary is also shaping up to be a significant factor in this game. Rookies Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter have quickly become playmakers in the defensive backfield, with Bullock leading the team in interceptions. Against a Dallas receiving corps that struggles to create separation, Houston’s defense could pose serious problems. Dallas wide receivers have managed the second-fewest average yards of separation in the league, and the Texans have allowed only slightly more. If Houston can continue to stifle Dallas’ passing game, Rush will be under heavy pressure to produce.
4) Cowboys’ Home Struggles: Can They Find a Way to Win in Arlington?
The Dallas Cowboys have historically been tough to beat at home, but their recent struggles in AT&T Stadium have been alarming. From September 2022 to January 2024, the Cowboys were unbeaten at home, but a shocking 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in last year’s wild-card round snapped that 16-game winning streak. Since then, Dallas has failed to win a game at home in 2024, dropping all four of its home contests so far.
The Cowboys’ defense has been particularly vulnerable, allowing an alarming 38.3 points per game at home, the worst mark in the NFL. On offense, they’ve failed to score more than 10 points in back-to-back games at home for the first time in seven years. With five of their final eight games at home, Dallas must find a way to fix its issues on its home turf, starting with the Texans. The key to turning things around could lie with the offense—CeeDee Lamb must step up as he did down the stretch in 2023, and Rico Dowdle could play a larger role as the team’s newly anointed featured running back.
Defensively, Micah Parsons must lead the charge. The star linebacker showed flashes of brilliance in his return from injury last week, recording two sacks. Parsons will need to be dominant again against a Texans offense that has shown vulnerabilities. If Dallas is to get back on track, it starts with the defense, led by Parsons, finding a way to put pressure on Stroud and disrupt Houston’s offensive rhythm.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Game for Both Teams
In this Monday Night Football showdown, the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys are both in need of a win to keep their seasons on track. For the Texans, a victory would help solidify their position in the AFC South, while for the Cowboys, it could be a much-needed morale booster in the wake of a four-game losing streak. Both teams have significant question marks, but the winner of this contest could very well turn the tide and set the stage for a strong finish to the season. Fans can expect plenty of drama as these two Texas rivals square off with much on the line.