The Dallas Cowboys are in a state of flux as standout quarterback Tony Romo suffered another back injury last time out against the Seahawks. He is expected to miss a big chunk of the season, and with the previous season-ending injury to backup Kellen Moore, has put Dak Prescott atop the depth chart.
The fourth-round draft pick has been great this preseason but now will be relied on to start. Prescott normally would have played in Week 4 of the preseason against the Houston Texans as a backup but now it is less certain because he will be needed during the regular season.
This Week 4 preseason matchup will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET on AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Texans -1
Cowboys +1
Over/Under 39
Odds Analysis
The Prescott situation must be watched closely. If the Cowboys decide he needs some more experience heading into the first game, he could see extended action against Houston and it would tilt the odds. However, more than 90 percent of bettors have backed the Texans as the road favorite. The Cowboys’ quarterback situation is getting dire and that could benefit Houston’s chances of winning this showdown.
Quarterback Rotation
The Cowboys may very well go with Jameill Showers for the entirety of this contest. He is a former undrafted free agent out of UTEP who wasn’t expected to make the team but has suddenly been elevated all the way to the backup spot.
Showers is 19-of-37 for 227 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Those numbers are decent, but they pale in comparison to Prescott’s work. He is 39-of-50 for 454 yards with five touchdowns and no picks through the preseason. Prescott leads the NFL in passing yards during exhibition play.
The Texans have a much more normal quarterback situation. Starter Brock Osweiler played well in a Week 3 preseason win over the Cardinals and should sit this final one out.
Tom Savage is the backup quarterback and he may see some action, although it hasn’t been made public the Texans’ plans. Savage is 25-of-47 for 318 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions on the season.
Brandon Weeden is another quarterback who seems likely to play in the game. Weeden is just 4-of-6 for 54 yards this preseason but could see his most action.
Coaching History
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is 9-15 in his career in preseason games, including 1-2 this year. Even though Prescott has been very good, it’s only helped result in one victory.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien is 7-4 in his preseason career. He went 2-2 in his first two seasons as coach but is a perfect 3-0 this year and could cap a perfect preseason with a win.
Free ATS Pick
The Texans have been rolling along this preseason while the Cowboys just received a tough blow with the Romo injury news. If Prescott played in this one, he would likely lead Dallas to victory. Howe
However, he seems likely to sit, which will give the Texans the more impressive quarterback play. Houston is the right call to finish 4-0 in the preseason, as Dallas likely won’t have much offensive firepower while relying on an undrafted free agent signal-caller.
NFL Odds: Texans 21, Cowboys 14
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