It’s the battle of Texas but one team is likely going to the playoffs while the other is playing out the string, and looking towards next season. The Texans come off a heartbreaking loss to the Lions but still lead the AFC South while the Cowboys have lost Dak Prescott for the year and won’t be making a playoff push.
Houston Texans (6-4)
The Texans should be 7-3 but handed the Lions a come from behind win on Sunday night as Detroit erased a 23-7 deficit to win on a 52-yard walk off field goal. But there were lots of positives to take away from that game including picking off Jared Goff five times. But the Texans couldn’t make the stops in the second half against one of the offensive powers in the league. The challenge on Monday, much different as the Cowboys offense isn’t very good. Nico Collins is expected back and when he’s in the lineup, Houston is 4-1 this season. Joe Mixon had just 46 yards on 25 carries against Detroit, but should have more success against one of the worst run stop teams in the league.
Dallas Cowboys (3-6)
Nothing has gone right for the Cowboys this season with injuries to their star players on defense and now losing quarterback Dak Prescott for the season. Cooper Rush will make his eighth start against Houston and was just 13-for-23 for 45 yards with two lost fumbles before being benched for Trey Lance. Mike McCarthy will stick with Rush but it won’t matter as the Cowboys can’t run the ball and with Rush, likely won’t be able to establish a passing game. The bright side is Micah Parsons is back after missing four games and he had two sacks in his returns against the Eagles. Dallas is 0-4 at home and is the first team in NFL history to trail by at least 20 points in five straight home games including playoffs.
Best Bet: Dallas U17.5 points
Even with Prescott, the Cowboys have struggled putting up points and now with Cooper Rush, their chances aren’t better. Over the last four losses, Dallas has managed to score an average of 15 PPG but in two of those games, the Cowboys put up 6, and 9 points respectively. The Texans should have a field day running the ball as the Dallas defense is 28th against the run. Rush’s longest completion last week was just 10 yards and he and the offense will struggle to move the ball. Houston’s defense is healthier and should be able to slow down an anemic offense.
Best Player Prop Bet Nico Collins: Anytime TD (+110)
Nico Collins hasn’t played since October 6 and was leading receiver before getting hurt. He should be ready to go Monday and faces a defense that has given up six passing touchdowns in the last three weeks.
Game Betting Odds
Texans -7.5
Cowboys +7.5
Total: 42.5
Recent Betting Trends
Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston’s last 9 games
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games vs Dallas
Dallas is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
