Cowboys vs Texans: 4 Essential Questions in a Tough Test

Cowboys vs Texans pits two teams trying to avoid a deeper early hole on Sunday, Oct. 4. The Cowboys (1-2) visit the winless Texans (0-3) at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

Cowboys vs Texans game information

Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Reliant Stadium, Houston
TV: FOX
Forecast: 80 degrees, 34% chance of precipitation, per ESPN

Cowboys vs Texans by the numbers

Dallas averages 29.3 points per game to Houston’s 18.0, according to ESPN’s season statistics, but the Texans hold a large edge in sacks. Both Cowboys losses have come by a combined 11 points, while Houston has lost three games by a combined 21.

Points allowed per game: Dallas 27.3, Houston 25.0
Total yards per game: Dallas 330.3, Houston 326.0
Rushing yards per game: Dallas 94.3, Houston 84.7
Yards per carry: Dallas 4.1, Houston 3.6
Third-down conversion rate: Dallas 57.1%, Houston 36.4%
Takeaways/giveaways: Dallas 2/2, Houston 3/2
Sacks made/allowed: Dallas 2/3, Houston 11/10

How the Cowboys score

Quarterback Dak Prescott has completed 73 of 105 passes for 730 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Receiver CeeDee Lamb has 20 catches for 309 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Javonte Williams has 169 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries.

Dallas lost 28-20 at the New York Giants on Sept. 14, beat Washington 37-20 on Sept. 20 and lost 34-31 to Baltimore on Sept. 27. The Cowboys have converted 57.1% of their third downs and have scored on all of their red-zone trips, ESPN’s statistics show.

Joey Porter Jr. and the Cowboys’ secondary

Dallas acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick, CBS Sports reported Oct. 1. Porter has been dealing with a back injury and has a chance to play Sunday, according to the report. If he does, he is expected to line up on the outside opposite DaRon Bland, with Caleb Downs in the slot. Our Joey Porter Jr. debut story has more on his status, and our trade coverage breaks down the deal.

How the Texans score

Quarterback C.J. Stroud has completed 72 of 120 passes for 794 yards and three touchdowns. Running back David Montgomery has 103 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries, and tight end Dalton Schultz leads Houston with 19 catches for 205 yards.

Houston scored 31 points in a 36-31 loss to Buffalo, six in a 20-6 loss to Cincinnati and 17 in a 19-17 loss at Indianapolis. We recapped the latest defeat in our story on how the Colts beat the Texans.

Key matchup: Houston’s pass rush vs. Dallas’ protection

Houston has 11 sacks, including four by Will Anderson Jr. Dallas has allowed only three sacks, so the Cowboys’ offensive line is the unit that decides whether Prescott can keep operating at a 57.1% third-down rate. On the other side, the Texans have converted 36.4% of their third downs against a Cowboys defense that has made two sacks and allowed 27.3 points per game.

Cowboys vs Texans injury report

ESPN lists safety M.J. Stewart as out for Houston and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who leads the Texans with 31 tackles, as doubtful. Receiver Nico Collins and running back British Brooks are questionable, and defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. is on injured reserve.

For Dallas, cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., safety Malik Hooker and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown are questionable. Defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard and safety Jalen Thompson are on injured reserve.

What to watch

Cowboys vs Texans carries standings weight for both sides. Dallas is tied with Washington for last in the NFC East at 1-2, one game behind Philadelphia and the New York Giants. Houston and Tennessee are both 0-3 in the AFC South, two games behind Jacksonville.

Records, statistics, injuries, standings and the forecast come from ESPN’s official game data. Additional reporting from CBS Sports.