The Houston Texans (6-4) visit their Lone Star State counterpart, the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) on Monday Night Football. Our Texans vs Cowboys prediction is for favored Houston to cover the 7-point spread.
The matchup has lost some of its luster with Dallas struggling mightily and missing several star players.
Head-to-head, Dallas leads 4-2.
Offshore Odds: Houston is a Touchdown Favorite on the Road
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | -7 (-112) | -350 | O 42 (-108) |
| Cowboys | +7 (-108) | +280 | U 42 (-112) |
Houston Needs to Recover After Back-to-Back Losses
Although they are still safely in first place in the AFC South, Houston has lost two straight and three of four. In their Week 10 loss, they blew a 23-7 lead to the high-flying Detroit Lions before losing on a last-second field goal.
There are no moral victories in the NFL and Houston needs to get back in the win column. After the Cowboys, they play Tennessee and Jacksonville. If they take care of business against teams they’re supposed to beat, they can all but wrap up the division by early December.
Houston’s strength has been its defense. They are fourth in defensive passing yards per game and 11th in defensive rushing yards per game. Since the key players on Dallas’ offense are injured, Houston should not have a problem stopping their replacements.
Houston has had its offensive challenges recently, but their slump coincided with wide receiver Nico Collins’ hamstring injury. He is expected to return for the Dallas game.
Running back Joe Mixon has been carting a heavy load in 2024, but expect C.J. Stroud to take to the air to take advantage of the Cowboys’ injuries and Collins’ return.
Dallas is Heavily Undermanned
Without Prescott, Cooper Rush starts at quarterback. Against Philadelphia in Week 10, Rush was 13 for 23 and 45 yards. He was eventually pulled for third-stringer Trey Lance in the Cowboys 34-6 loss. Lance might see some time against Houston.
To make matters worse for Dallas, the following players are either out or questionable:
- Defensive back DeRon Bland
- Cornerback Trevon Diggs
- Linebacker Micah Parsons
- Cornerback Jourdan Lewis
- Running back Hunter Luepke
With their playoff hopes dashed and so many stalwarts missing, it is reasonable to ask whether those with nagging injuries that need rest and/or surgery should bother playing again this season.
The one area where the Cowboys had been solid was passing yards per game. Without Prescott or Lamb, how are they getting the ball downfield? Their weak running game cannot make up for it.
Texans vs Cowboys Prediction: Houston Should Win Easily
This is a case where Dallas does not have the personnel to compete. Houston desperately needs a win. With the Cowboys’ roster comparable to that of an expansion team, Houston should win going away.
Houston will cover the point spread and win by more than seven points.
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