The Cowboys failed to win a game last preseason, but then went 12-4 in the regular season and won the NFC East title. Their losing streak in games that don’t count has reached eight, but they don’t really care. Houston looks to claim the battle of Texas after losing to the ‘Boys last season.
ODDS
The opening line shows us just how much the Cowboys care about the preseason. Their record over the past two years does as well. After not winning a practice game since 2013, the Cowboys are 4-point underdogs at home in the battle for the Lone Star State. The total surfaced at 39.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
While the Texans named Brian Hoyer their starter, the situation is definitely fluid and could change weekly. Hoyer had a nice game Sunday in New Orleans and will likely rest up for the season opener. Following a brief pouting session after losing the starting job, Ryan Mallett composed himself and also played well against the Saints, hitting 9 of 17 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He likely plays a series or two before Tom Savage completes the evening.
The Cowboys will keep Tony Romo on the sidelines for the final preseason game while backup Brandon Weeden will get some snaps after not playing last week with concussion symptoms. Don’t expect Weeden to play too long as the battle between Dustin Vaughan and Jameill Showers will help decide who’s worth backing up Weeden as the third-stringer.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
How much does Cowboys coach Jason Garrett care about this game? Not much. When the Cowboys started practice this week, Garrett said he was preparing his team for the New York Giants. Did he not know who was on the schedule for the preseason finale? He certainly did. But Garrett is more concerned about the games that actually count in the standings. Receiver Dez Bryant is practicing with his teammates, but will be held out against the Texans, as will most of the starters and key contributors. Romo will sit along with receivers Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley as the Cowboys prep for their Sept. 13 opener against the Giants.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Running the ball in this league is very difficult. It really is. I think our running game, at times, has been decent, but it’s too inconsistent. Hopefully you’ll see some improvement in the Dallas game. I think there have been times where we see glimpses of what it can be, but we’ve got to be a lot more consistent.” – Texans coach Bill O’Brien on the team’s running game
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Cowboys haven’t settled on any one player to take over the running back job vacated by NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray. Instead the team has its sights on a committee to get the job done. Darren McFadden has flashed signs of greatness this preseason. Joseph Randle was an exemplary backup to Murray last season and Lance Dunbar has all the tools. The team isn’t committing just yet, and likely won’t until the season opener. The Cowboys are convinced that their elite offensive line can be the glue that elevates a collection of parts into a greater whole. Of course it doesn’t have to be this way, and the Cowboys believe McFadden is the best of the bunch. But they’ve also seen him get banged up and it’s hard to count on that type of player as your centerpiece running back.
INJURIES
Texans linebacker Carlos Thompson will be held out after getting concussed Sunday in New Orleans. Tight end Anthony Denham is out with a shoulder injury.
Cornerback Orlando Scandrick had his season end before it even started. He sustained a severe knee injury and is out for the season. Receiver Dez Bryant is working on his hamstring issue and practicing with the team, but will be held out until the regular season.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Dallas backup quarterbacks haven’t played very well this preseason, but they haven’t had a lot of help. The offensive line hasn’t worked together, the top running backs have been in and out of the lineup and the receiving corps has been held back. But that’s just fine with coach Garrett, who understands what the preseason is all about. The Cowboys will be healthy when the regular season kicks off and that’s what matters. The reserves will show some pride after losing eight straight preseason games, but pride doesn’t win football games.
Houston 19, Dallas 17
BookMaker opened the spread for this Thursday game at -4 in favor of the Texans. The NFL odds total surfaced at 39. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
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