Cowboys Keys to Victory Against Texans

Sunday will mark only the 4th time the Dallas Cowboys have played against the Houston Texans. The in-state rivalry is played every four years and the Cowboys lead the series 2-1

The talk all week has been about J.J. Watt, but the Cowboys aren’t having any of it. Travis Frederick said, “We’re not playing the Houston J.J. Watts,” and “We’re playing the Houston Texans.”

Coach Garrett has preached the game is about us and not about them or about any player on the opposing team, so the message is out there and Frederick explained that same mantra when asked about J.J. Watt.

Here are my keys to victory against the Texans:

• The Cowboys home crowd must show up as it did against the Saints. I’ll be at this game, so let’s get loud and rowdy.

• We have established we’re going to pound the rock against any defensive front and we’re going to make you take it. The Cowboys must keep it up against the Texans and open up the passing game second. If we do this, we’ll have the Texans on the ropes.

• The Texans will probably blitz more in this game, and we need to make them pay when they come.

• We need to take care of the ball and we need to capitalize when Fitzpatrick turns the ball over, he will turn it over.

• Tyrone Crawford could have a breakout game against this suspect Texans offensive line. I think the Cowboys will have their first multiple sack game against the line. If Crawford has another solid game at the 3-tech, then we need to keep him there. If Crawford can be what Hatcher was last year, then Melton could be expendable at the end of the year. Keep an eye on this.

• I like where we are with our cornerbacks right now and they will matchup well against the Texans. Pressure from our defensive line will help them make plays against Fitzpatrick’s tendency to be inaccurate with his passes.

• Dwayne Harris is due for a kick return, let’s get one against the Texans.

• Protect the ball against the Texans secondary. Most of the Texans forced turnovers this season have come from their secondary, so our players better hold that ball when they get around them.

• The Texans had a hard time against Victor Cruz and their tight end, so I’m expecting the Cowboys to take this to the next level with Terrance Williams having another solid game. Jennings ran all over the Texans, so with Murray and our offensive line we should be able to do the same. It’ll be interesting to see how the Texans defense attacks our offense. If we’re saying this will be won in the trenches, then I like our chances.

This should be competitive game, but I’d like to see the Cowboys come out and dominate whistle-to-whistle. The Cowboys need to show they can be consistent and win a 4th consecutive game and take that momentum to Seattle. Make the Texans take the running game and put everyone on notice.

Let’s go Dallas!