When the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans meet under the bright lights of Monday Night Football in Week 11, the Lone Star State’s two NFL teams will be heading in vastly different directions despite similar recent struggles. The Texans (6-4) are clinging to first place in the AFC South despite a recent 1-3 skid, while the Cowboys (3-6) are in free fall, mired in a four-game losing streak that has them on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Houston’s C.J. Stroud, the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, has hit the first real rough patch of his NFL career. The second-year quarterback has gone four consecutive games with a passer rating under 100, tallying just two touchdowns and two interceptions over that span. Last week’s 26-23 loss to Detroit encapsulated the Texans’ recent woes—they intercepted Jared Goff five times but failed to capitalize offensively, going scoreless in the second half despite a 16-point halftime lead.
Stroud, however, may get much-needed help this week with the anticipated return of Nico Collins. The Texans’ star wideout has been sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury but still leads the team with 567 receiving yards. His presence could boost a passing attack that has struggled without him and Stefon Diggs, who was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Dallas, meanwhile, is reeling after a woeful 34-6 loss to division rival Philadelphia last week in its first game without Dak Prescott. The Cowboys’ franchise quarterback underwent season-ending surgery for a torn hamstring, leaving Cooper Rush at the helm. Rush struggled mightily against the Eagles, completing just five passes for 45 yards—the fewest by a Dallas starter since 2015.
The Cowboys’ four-game skid is their longest since 2020, when Prescott missed most of the season with a broken ankle. They’ve also lost all four home games this year, a shocking turnaround for a team that had won 16 consecutive games at AT&T Stadium before their playoff collapse against Green Bay last season.
Key Matchups to Watch
•Dallas Pass Rush vs. Houston O-Line
The Cowboys will rely on Micah Parsons and DeMarvion Overshown to pressure Stroud and force mistakes. Parsons, who recently returned from a high ankle sprain, recorded two sacks against Philadelphia, as did Overshown, who leads the team with four. Houston’s offensive line will need to hold firm, especially with Collins back to stretch the field.
•Texans’ Second-Half Struggles
Houston has led at halftime in each of its past four games but has managed just 15 second-half points in that stretch. If the Texans hope to break their two-game losing streak, they’ll need to sustain offensive momentum for all four quarters.
•Rush Rebound?
Cooper Rush will be under the microscope after his disastrous performance against the Eagles. With Prescott out, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes hinge on whether Rush can stabilize an offense that has been listless in recent weeks.
For the Texans, a win would solidify their grip on the AFC South and help restore confidence after a tough month. For the Cowboys, a victory is essential to keep their fading playoff hopes alive and avoid their first losing season since 2020.
Houston and Dallas first met 22 years ago in the Texans’ inaugural game, a stunning 19-10 victory over the Cowboys. As they prepare for the seventh installment of their in-state rivalry, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams.
Expect a hard-fought, gritty battle at AT&T Stadium on Monday night. The Texans might be the favorites, but the Cowboys, desperate to break their home losing streak, could have one more fight left in them.
