Cowboys, Texans Seek Season Turnaround in Week 4 Showdown
Both struggling Texas NFL franchises face critical juncture as Houston hosts Dallas, aiming for their first win.
The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans will clash in a pivotal Week 4 matchup, with both franchises seeking momentum to revive their seasons. The Texans, playing at home, are particularly desperate for their first victory.
The Cowboys are coming off an emotionally taxing loss to the Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, where they fell by a field goal in a high-scoring game. Notably, Dallas became the first team in NFL history to travel over 5,000 miles for a game without receiving extended rest afterward.
Meanwhile, the Texans are still searching for their inaugural win. They held a lead in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3 before allowing a decisive field goal with under two minutes remaining.
Matchup Analysis and Betting Outlook
This contest pits the Cowboys' statistically weak defense against the Texans' offensively challenged unit. Dallas ranks last in the NFL in defensive EPA per play and success rate, allowing an average of 6.0 yards per snap. Despite these defensive struggles, the Cowboys' offense has managed to score at least 30 points in consecutive games, powered by quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Texans' offense, averaging 18 points per game, has shown flashes of potential, with quarterback C.J. Stroud averaging 265 passing yards per game without an interception. Stroud's effectiveness could be further boosted by the potential return of top target Nico Collins, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury but returned to practice this week. His presence would be crucial in exploiting a Cowboys secondary that is currently missing safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson.
Defensively, while the Texans' unit has not replicated the dominance of recent seasons, linebacker Will Anderson Jr. has recorded four sacks.
Historical Performance and Prediction
In their last meeting in 2024, the Texans defeated the Cowboys convincingly, 34-10. Dallas has also failed to cover the point spread in the previous two matchups between these teams. Historically, the Texans have shown a tendency to improve as the season progresses after slow starts in September.
Given these factors, the prediction favors the Texans to secure their first win and cover a 3.5-point spread against the Cowboys. The recommended bet is Texans -3.5 with odds of +100, available on BetMGM.