Gameday: Texans @ Cowboys

The Houston Texans roll into town hoping to defeat the Cowboys on our homefield. Historically, the Texans have always played us very tough, and I expect this next game to be just as difficult to win. This is the third game of the preseason, and will be a dress rehearsal for both teams. Expect the starters to play 3 quarters for both teams.

The Cowboys shouldn’t see to many surprises from the Texans since they run the same offense and same blocking schemes as the Broncos. Unfortunately for us, we had a hard time defending against the zone blocking and the Texans will be looking at establishing the run and then hit us with their receivers. Don’t be fooled by the Texans long history of losing, this latest team should be able to make a run in their tough division. Kubiak has them going in the right direction, and they have a whole lot of underrated talent on both sides of the ball.

The Texans are going to start their rookie RB Steve Slaton, he’s had a solid preseason, and has a quick burst at the line, so we’ll see if Wade has better prepared the defense for the same blocking scheme from last week. Its important to show we can at least make adjustments and correct our defensive errors from last week.

Adam Jones will get the start opposite Anthony Henry, and they will get tested often. The Texans have better receiving corps than the Broncos, so watch the coverage on Andre Johnson and Kevin Walters. Walters is particularly good after the catch. Andre Davis, Charlie Anderson  and Jacoby Jones are all legit receivers than can make plays as well. They have a good group in Houston right now, and it’ll be interesting to see how their offense goes after our secondary. Owen Daniels is their tight end, and he’s on his way to being a very good tight end in the AFC, he’ll be a weapon they’ll utilize as well.

The Texans’ main weakness is their defense, their banged up, and young in the secondary. We’ll see former Cowboys Jacques Reeves, and I expect the Cowboys to go after him often, he just isn’t that good, and he’ll be the same for the Texans. Mario Williams is their best player on defense and should be a handful, but we should be able to slow him down…Should be a good match to watch though.

Tempo and Pace

Last year we all complained about the Cowboys’ slow starts and inability to ever have a quick start, the Cowboys will have an opportunity to get the fast start if they can get past the miscues and dumb penalties. I want to see the Cowboys offense move the ball at will and score points; and then on defense I want them to shutdown the Texans with a 3 and out. Too many times last year, we left the door open for teams, keeping them in the game because of our inability to close out teams in a dominant fashion.

Avoid the Looming Turk

This is do or die for some players, and if the bubble players want to make the starting 53 squad, then this is the game in which they must seperate themselves from the rest. We don’t need to go through a list of who needs to do well. Its time players to show up and earn that star. First round of cuts is 3 days away (Aug. 26th).

Team Swagger

Show us something, whether its on offense or defense, I want to see some swagger out there. If this is a dress rehersal then some of these guys need to step up and maul people, tackle people, knock people on their ass. Finish.

Will 0-3 Concern Us?

We know this is the preseason, and these games don’t count. Some teams have lost all their games and gone on to the Super Bowl to win it all, some have won all the games and failed to make the playoffs. But this is Dallas, and Cowboys fans will be concerned if we lose a third straight game, especially if we look sloppy, out of sync, and undisciplined. As a fan, just be prepared for a whole litany of “the end of the world” scenarios.

Receivers & Secondary
To avoid backlash, the supposed #2 and #3 WRs must make plays. A loss to the Texans will just amplify the calls for a trade for a legit #2WR. The Secondary must play well, the secondary is perceived by most as being our weakest link last year, so we went out and added Adam Jones. He’ll get the start, and let’s hope for continued improvement. We added Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick to upgrade bad play from last year’s players. If the receivers and secondary falter in this game the red flags and worry warts will be out in full force come the weekend. Can fans justify their concerns after another loss. You would have to say yes. We’ve done alot to upgrade the secondary, and nothing for wide receiver except to hope someone would step up like Crayton, Hurd, or Austin. Another loss will put our offseason moves under the microscope. On paper, we’ve had one of the best offseason’s in a few years, but if we cannot get any wins from it, then its an obvious failure in the eyes of many.

Let’s put it to the Texans and send them to oblivion.

NFL GAMECENTER