Tag: Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys

All 32 NFL teams (including the Texans) ranked by FPI ratings

Here’s how the Texans rank in FPI rankings among all 32 other NFL teams entering Week 12’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Eleven games into the season, the Houston Texans (7-4) have a -1.9 Football Power Index (FPI) rating from ESPN, which ranks 13th among all 32 teams.

The Tennessee Titans (2-8), who play host to Houston in Week 11 on ‘Monday Night Football’, are ranked 28th with a 5.6 FPI rating.

FPI is “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season,” according to ESPN.com. “FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule.”

So with that background in mind, here’s a look at how the league’s 32 teams stack up based on FPI going into Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season.

  1. Detroit Lions (9-1): 8.7
  2. Baltimore Ravens (7-4): 6.4
  3. Buffalo Bills (9-2): 6.2
  4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1): 5.1
  5. Green Bay Packers (7-3): 5.0
  6. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2): 4.5
  7. San Francisco 49ers (5-5): 3.9
  8. Minnesota Vikings (8-2): 2.9
  9. Houston Texans (7-4): 1.9
  10. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2): 1.8
  11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6): 1.4
  12. Arizona Cardinals (6-4): 1.4
  13. Washington Commanders (7-4): 1.3
  14. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3): 1.1
  15. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7): 0.3
  16. Los Angeles Rams (5-5): -0.1
  17. New York Jets (3-8): -0.2
  18. Miami Dolphins (4-6): -0.3
  19. Atlanta Falcons (6-5): -0.7
  20. New Orleans Saints (4-7): -0.7
  21. Cleveland Browns (2-8): -1.1
  22. Seattle Seahawks (5-5): -1.1
  23. Denver Broncos (6-5): -1.2
  24. Chicago Bears (4-6): -1.4
  25. Indianapolis Colts (5-6): -2.1
  26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8): -4.9
  27. New England Patriots (3-8): -5.4
  28. Tennesee Titans (2-8): -5.6
  29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9): -5.9
  30. Carolina Panthers (3-7): -7.5
  31. New York Giants (2-8): -7.7
  32. Dallas Cowboys (3-7): -8.8

The Texans will aim to improve their rating when they take on the Titans in Week 12 in what should factor in the AFC South division race. Houston has moved up four spots since last week.

Top photos from the Texans surefire win over Cowboys on Monday Night Football

Joe Mixon rushed for over 100 yards and scored three touchdowns on Monday night, but what else is new?

Joe Mixon was on point in Arlington.

Behind a three-touchdown night, Mixon led the Houston Texans to a 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on ‘Monday Night Football.’

Here are some of the best photos from the night as the Texans improve to 7-4 on the regular season entering Week 12’s divisional matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Watch: Texans RB Joe Mixon continues Pro Bowl season with epic TD run vs. Cowboys

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon scored his longest touchdown of the season on the opening drive against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Houston Texans scored two touchdowns on the opening drive at AT&T Stadium, but only one counted.

Running back Joe Mixon continued his strong start to his first season with the Texans and broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run.

Houston scored on its opening play, looking to get Nico Collins involved early. Collins returned from a five-game hiatus due to a hamstring injury. He took a screen pass to the end zone, but Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil was downfield, so the play was brought back.

The 45-yard touchdown run is Mixon’s longest score of the season and the second-longest run of the year. The former Pro Bowler had a 50-plus-yard run against the New England Patriots in his first game back from an ankle injury.

After the penalty brought back the touchdown, C.J. Stroud completed passes to Dalton Schultz, Robert Woods and John Metchie III.

The Texans are losing to end a two-game losing streak on primetime.

AT&T Stadium’s status provides perfect metaphor for Cowboys’ season ahead of Texans’ game

The Houston Texans were expected to play under the bright lights at AT&T Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys, but plans changed.

The sky is falling.

Wait, no, it’s not. It’s just AT&T Stadium losing parts.

Heading into Monday afternoon, the expectation was for the stadium roof to be open for the first time in nearly two full seasons in a primetime showdown against the Houston Texans.  That lasted for all of several minutes in doubt after some sort of mechanical issue sent a giant piece of metal fall to the turf below and left more torn-away scrap hanging in the rafters.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hates the sun hitting the inside of the stadium,  so it’s usually a closed afternoon inside the walls of ‘Jerry World.’ With it being a night game, Jones chose to give the fans a lovely evening with nice weather as part of the atmosphere.

Yet shortly after the roof opened, a large piece of metal fell from the structure.  The NFL was forced to get involved and deemed the roof unsafe to be open after a second piece of sheet metal fell once again onto the turf.

The debris is seen in a video posted by NBC DFW’s Noah Bullard.

Dallas is already without a starting quarterback, a solidified starting running back, a rocky receiving room, a limited secondary and multiple questions surrounding the coaching staff and front office. Now, it doesn’t have a functioning roof.

Which is the one you think fans care about more?

ESPN’s Ryan Clark during a season on  the Monday Night Countdown desk set up on the turf at the stadium, cracked, “The bottom done already fell out in Dallas; the top might as well, too.”

Rock, meet bottom.

Texans add two players to active roster before Lone Star Showdown with Cowboys

Jeff Okudah and Mario Edwards Jr. are back for the Houston Texans on ‘Monday Night Football’ against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Houston Texans are adding reinforcements for Monday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Houston activated cornerback Jeff Okudah and defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. to the active 53-man roster prior to the clash of Lone Star opponents on ABC and ESPN.

Okudah, a former first-round pick in 2020, has been out since suffering a hip injury Sept. 8 in the season-opening win at Indianapolis.

Edwards, who’d missed the past four weeks after being suspended for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, was reinstated last week but officially added to the roster on Monday.

In a corresponding move, cornerback Myles Bryant and running back J.J. Taylor were waived.  Both could be added back to the practice squad if they clear waivers. Taylor could be a favorite to land back since he’s been with Houston’s practice squad on and off for two seasons.

The Texans also elevated defensive tackle Tommy Togiai from the practice squad to the active roster before Monday’s must-see game.

Monday marks the first time a season-opening loss to the Saints on Sept. 9, 2019, that Houston will play on ‘Monday Night Football.’ That also marked the start of a new era at left tackle following the acquisition of four-time Pro Bowler Lamrey Tunsil.

All time, the Texans are 5-9 in Monday night games. They’re 26-37 in nationally televised games, but 1-2 this season. Currently, Houston is entering its fourth standalone game and third in as many weeks.

Will Kamari Lassiter play on Monday Night Football?: Update on Texans CB

Kamari Lassiter is still in the concussion protocol and has not been cleared to return entering Week 11’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Houston Texans are gaining back wide receiver Nico Collins and defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. for Monday’s showdown in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys.

While the duo are a welcomed addition to the lineup, Houston (6-4) could be without two starters in the secondary. Rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter left during the third quarter of Week 10’s loss against the Detroit Lions and could be out on primetime.

Fellow cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. played through an injury and now could be out for the Lone Star Battle in what feels like a must-win game for Houston.

Here’s an update on the Texans’ rookie defender heading into AT&T Stadium.

Kamari Lassiter injury update

Lassiter, who missed two games earlier in the season with a shoulder injury, left during Sunday’s game with a concussion. He did not practice during Thursday or Friday’s open session as he remains in protocol.

Since the Texans have an extra day of practice, everything is shifted back by one. Usually, Thursdays provide a better indication of a player’s status because they are the most strenuous practice of the week. That changed to Friday.

Lassiter did however appear in Saturday’s practice. Much like Collins, the Texans could be getting him acclimated but choose to rest him and wait until Week 12’s showdown against the Tennessee Titans.

How long will Kamari Lassiter be out? 

Before Lassiter is allowed to return, he must clear the concussion protocol. Practicing Saturday is an indication he’s nearing the final stages, but it doesn’t mean he’s good to go.

The Texans have had two players miss practice during the week and still play the following Sunday. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukaski missed practice and returned for Friday’s walkthrough before appearing in Week 7 and Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers and Lions, respectively.

Tight end Dalton Schultz didn’t practice in Week 2 with an ankle injury, but managed to suit in a win over the Chicago Bears.

If Lassiter were to miss Monday’s game, the status for a Nov. 24 matchup against the  Titans becomes questionable. Houston would only have two full days of practice before having to release the final injury report on Friday.
Kamari Lassiter stats
A second-round pick out of Georgia, Lassiter recorded two interceptions last week, including one before halftime. In eight games, he’s collected 29 tackles, eight pass breakups and three interceptions.
Texans CB depth chart

With Stingley and Lassiter potentially out, here’s the rest of the cornerbacks on the active roster:

  • Ka’dar Hollman.

  • Jeff Okudah
  • Kris Boyd

Okudah, who signed a one-year deal this offseason after four years with the Lions and Atlanta Falcons, was designated to return to practice from the injured reserve last week. While he’s practicing, the former No. 3 overall pick has not been added to the roster yet,

The Texans could also elevate D’Angelo Ross, who was added back to the practice squad earlier this week. He started two games in place of Lassiter in Week 5 and Week 6.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

Texans receive best news possible from WR Nico Collins entering Week 11

The Houston Texans have their No. 1 target back for Monday night’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Nico Collins is back.

It’s for real this time and not a “wait and see” until Monday, either.

The Houston Texans leading receiver told reporters on Friday that he’s “for sure” 100% healthy and ready to play this week against the Dallas Cowboys. That notion was backed up by a healthy injury report, showing that Collins was a full participant.

“Getting Nico back is always very great for all of us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday. “Nico’s been one of our best players when he was healthy, so it’s great to have him back, great to have his presence and the energy that he brings and also the playmaking ability that he brings.”

Collins, who broke out as C.J. Stroud’s top weapon in 2023, missed the last five games with a hamstring injury. While he was activated off the injured reserve last Friday, the Texans elected to hold him out for Sunday’s 25-23 loss against the Detroit Lions.

While back at practice, Collins did say this was the first week he felt like he was cleared to play.

“I feel like myself,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s a great progression. Just stacking days, I feel like I’ve been attacking the rehab. That’s all you can do. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’m feeling great.”

The Texans are adding Collins back at the right time. Currently on a two-game losing streak, Houston needs a win just to re-enter the “contender” conversation among AFC teams.

Collins was the backbone of Houston’s offense. Through the first five weeks, he led the NFL in receiving yards (567) and ranked third in receptions (32).

No one benefitted from his Collins more than Stroud, who ranked third in passing yards (1,385), 10th in touchdowns (seven) and 10th in QBR (66.2) entering Week 6.

In Collins’ absence, Stroud has regressed. In the past five games, the second-year passer has ranked 17th in yards (986), tied for 19th in touchdowns (5) and 25th in QBR (41.3).

“I am just happy for him to be back with the team, be a part of the locker room again,” Stroud said. “They are in solitude, when players are injured, they are on their own. So I am glad he is just able to be around the guys again and be able to do the sport that he loves to play.”

Once Collins went on the injured reserve, two-time All-Pro target Stefon Diggs stepped up as the new No. 1. That lasted for three weeks before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Tank Dell and John Metchie III each have served as Stroud’s go-to weapon in losses, but Collins should alleviate the pressure of the duo as the new threat. Stroud mentioned how Collins’ presence opens up plays for both young targets in the passing game/

“They all lead off of him, Nico is that type of player,” Stroud said. “It will be exciting to have him back.”

Houston faces a struggling Dallas defense that ranks 31st in run defense (152.1 yards per game) and 31st in scoring (28.8 points per game).

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

Texans vs. Cowboys: Announcers set for Week 11 game

The Houston Texans will hit the road to face off against the Dallas Cowboys on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 11.

The Houston Texans (6-4) hit the road on Monday night for a Lone Star showdown against the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) in Week 11 on primetime at AT&T Stadium.

Houston’s Week 11 matchup will serve as the ‘Monday Night Football’ game on ESPN at 7:15 CT. Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (analyst) will serve as commentators in the broadcast booth.

Lisa Salters (sideline reporter) will remain on the sidelines and provide in-game interviews.

The Texans need a win. So does Dallas, but Houston’s woeful second-half outing on ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the Detroit Lions now has fans wondering if the AFC South favorites are a legit contender in the conference.

Houston jumped out to an early 23-7 lead in the first half after C.J. Stroud connected with John Metchie III for the 15-yard touchdown. Lions quarterback Jared Goff tossed five interceptions, but the Texans never could pressure him into fumbling the ball.

For Detroit (8-1), its defense stepped up in the second half. The front seven recorded four sacks while Stroud tossed a pair of interceptions to Carlton Davis III, including one in the end zone on a pass intended for Tank Dell. 

Jake Bates drilled two second-half 50-plus-yard field goals, including a game-winning 52-yard kick as time expired. With the loss, the Texans joined the 1970 Chicago Bears as the only franchise in league history to lose a game where the opposing quarterback throws five interceptions. 

“Definitely should have won this game,” Stroud said. “My job is to lead the offense to score points, and I didn’t do that today. … We really should have put them away after the first half. It’s really on the offense.”

The Cowboys aren’t waving the white flag for 2024, but their season has gone off the rails. Quarterback Dak Prescott will miss the remainder of the regular season after it was announced Tuesday that he would undergo hamstring surgery. 

In Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, backup quarterback Cooper Rush completed 13-of-26 passes for 45 yards and lost two fumbles. He also was sacked once. Former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance filled in the fourth quarter and finished with 21 passing yards and an interception. 

For the second time in six games, the Cowboys did not score a touchdown. 

“Everybody has confidence in Coop,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Again, it wasn’t our best performance yesterday as an offense, for sure. Wasn’t all him. We’re all involved in that.”

Houston has opened as 7.5-point road favorites against the Cowboys in primetime out in Arlington, according to BetMGM. The over/under is currently set at 42. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. 

Texans odds: Houston opens as road favorites vs. Cowboys in Week 11

The Houston Texans remain a heavy favorite entering Monday’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

The Houston Texans (6-4) hit the road on Monday night for a Lone Star showdown against the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) in Week 11 on primetime at AT&T Stadium.

Houston has opened as 7.5-point road favorites against the Cowboys in primetime on ESPN, according to BetMGM. The over/under is currently set at 42.

The Texans need a win. So does Dallas, but Houston’s woeful second-half outing on ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the Detroit Lions now has fans wondering if the AFC South favorites are a legit contender in the conference.

Houston jumped out to an early 23-7 lead in the first half after C.J. Stroud connected with John Metchie III for the 15-yard touchdown. Lions quarterback Jared Goff tossed five interceptions, but the Texans never could pressure him into fumbling the ball.

For Detroit (8-1), its defense stepped up in the second half. The front seven recorded four sacks while Stroud tossed a pair of interceptions to Carlton Davis III, including one in the end zone on a pass intended for Tank Dell.

Jake Bates drilled two second-half 50-plus-yard field goals, including a game-winning 52-yard kick as time expired.

With the loss, the Texans joined the 1970 Chicago Bears as the only franchise in league history to lose a game where the opposing quarterback throws five interceptions.

“Definitely should have won this game,” Stroud said. “My job is to lead the offense to score points, and I didn’t do that today. … We really should have put them away after the first half. It’s really on the offense.”

The Cowboys aren’t waving the white flag for 2024, but their season has gone off the rails. Quarterback Dak Prescott will miss the remainder of the regular season after it was announced Tuesday that he would undergo hamstring surgery.

In Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, backup quarterback Cooper Rush completed 13-of-26 passes for 45 yards and lost two fumbles. He also was sacked once. Former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance filled in the fourth quarter and finished with 21 passing yards and an interception.

For the second time in six games, the Cowboys did not score a touchdown.

“Everybody has confidence in Coop,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Again, it wasn’t our best performance yesterday as an offense, for sure. Wasn’t all him. We’re all involved in that.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. 

Who will start for the Cowboys against the Texans in Week 11?

The Houston Texans now know which quarterback plans to start on Monday night when they face off against the Dallas Cowboys.

Dak Prescott is out for the year after it was announced Tuesday morning that the star quarterback would undergo season-ending hamstring surgery.

While Prescott wasn’t expected to face off against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium next Monday night, there was speculation that the Dallas Cowboys could have an ensuing battle for QB1 entering the weekend.

That’s no longer the case. Cowboys coach McCarthy announced Monday evening that Cooper Rush would remain the starter for the standalone outing on ESPN.

“We have a lot of faith in Cooper,” McCarthy told reporters in Frisco. “Like I stood up here last week, everybody believes in him. How can you not based off the way he’s performed? But that fumble and the recovery attempt, that was off to a rough start. Just felt like he never really got into a rhythm.”

Rush, a longtime backup in Dallas, started in Sunday’s loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. The seventh-year completed 13-of-26 passes for 45 yards and lost two fumbles while being sacked once.

Perhaps the most significant takeaway was Dallas did not score a touchdown in their first game without Prescott, who left in the fourth quarter of Week 9’s loss against the Atlanta Falcons.

“Everybody has confidence in Coop,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Again, it wasn’t our best performance yesterday as an offense, for sure. Wasn’t all him. We’re all involved in that.”

The Cowboys might have named Rush the starter, but it wasn’t a forgone conclusion entering the fourth quarter. Former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance played the final 15 minutes, finishing 4-of-6 passing for 21 yards. He was sacked twice and intercepted once.

Lance, who some believed would transform into the long-term answer for the San Francisco 49ers, also ran three times for 17 yards. Sunday marked his first regular-season action since being acquired by the Cowboys in 2023.

“I just felt he didn’t have reps in that particular situational work,” McCarthy said of Lance. “But then gave him some series based on where we were; thought he did some good things. And definitely some things he can learn from. It was good to get him out there.”
The Texans are looking to rebound after blowing a 16-point first-half lead against the Detroit Lions on Sunday night.