Cowboys backup quarterbacks have to beware a couple of sneaky rookies on the Texans that could make them suffer on Monday Night Football
The Dallas Cowboys are playing their in-state rival on Monday Night Football, the Houston Texans. While they're in much better shape than the 3-6 Cowboys are, it's been difficult to figure out what's up with the Texans, who came into this year expected to be one of the top contenders in the AFC. In large part, […]
The Dallas Cowboys are playing their in-state rival on Monday Night Football, the Houston Texans.
While they're in much better shape than the 3-6 Cowboys are, it's been difficult to figure out what's up with the Texans, who came into this year expected to be one of the top contenders in the AFC. In large part, that was thanks to C.J. Stroud. However, they have struggled against quality opponents and that even dropped last week's game despite intercepting Jared Goff five times.
So I thought I'd reach out to A to Z Sports' own Justin Churchill, who covers the Texans, to get some insights into what's been going on with Houston. He had some interesting notes on what the Cowboys can exploit as well as two rookies that could give Cooper Rush (and Trey Lance, if he plays) some trouble in Week 11.
1. C.J. Stroud might've led one of the best rookie seasons we've ever seen from a quarterback but he ranks 27th in EPA+CPOE this year. What's going on with the Texans offense's regression?
Churchill: The Texans’ offensive regression really comes down to three things: The offensive line is one of the worst in the league. Even Laremy Tunsil, a guy who has been known to shut down stars in the past, is playing bad. Secondly, the injuries have visited the Texans far too often this year, just like they have every team. They have been without Nico Collins since Week 5 and Stefon Diggs tore his ACL a while back. Thirdly, something has just been off with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s play calling. It feels like sometimes they are too committed to establishing the run, even when it’s clearly costing them.
2. The Texans rank second in defensive DVOA despite not exactly being a star-studded group. What has caused this success and who are some players who could wreak havoc against Dallas?
Churchill: If you were to tell me the Texans would be one of the better defenses in the league this year before the season started, I would have believed you. It starts with Danielle Hunter, who has the most pressures in the league by NFL Pro’s metrics, by like 10. He’s causing chaos, and his running mate Will Anderson has been great, too, despite being pretty banged up. But one of the names that won’t get talked about enough is Azeez Al-Shaair, who seems to be wherever the ball is and has been great in coverage. The rookies have been balling as well.
3. Who is one sneaky underrated player on the Texans defense who could make Dallas' backup quarterbacks suffer on Monday Night Football?
Churchill: There’s really two guys I’d throw out there, and they are both rookies: Cornerback Kamari Lassiter has been a stud and the perfect piece across from star Derek Stingley. The other guy has to be rookie safety Calen Bullock, who has filled in for Jimmie Ward and now has four interceptions on the year. He was the Texans third highest rated player according to PFF last week and the seventh highest graded safety in the league last week.
Overall, it's difficult to know what to make out of the Texans this year. They beat the Bills and were blown out by the Vikings. They caused five takeaways last Sunday only to lose. What's caused the inconsistencies and what's one area the Cowboys could take advantage of?
Churchill: I think the consistencies are the fact that this is a team completely new to winning, especially with these kind of expectations. They are still learning to win, and it’s taking them a bit. And honestly, that’s one area the Cowboys can take advantage of. The Texans will shoot themselves in the foot whether it be penalties or other negative plays. The Cowboys have to pounce on that
