Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys 11/18/24 – The Houston Texans (6-4) travel to Arlington to face off against the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) in a pivotal Week 11 matchup that could further cement the Texans’ position above .500 or give the Cowboys a much-needed lift to salvage their season. Scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2024, at 8:15 PM ET, the game will unfold at the iconic AT&T Stadium, with live coverage provided by ESPN/ABC. As the Texans look to extend their impressive five-game winning streak, the Cowboys are desperately seeking form after a rough stretch.
Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys 11/18/24
| When: | Monday, November 18, 2024, at 8:15 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | AT&T Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN/ABC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | Over 42.5 (-105) | -7 (-115) | -340 |  |
| Cowboys | Under 42.5 (-115) | +7 (-105) | +270 | |
| ||||
H-Town, she's coming down! 🐝🤘 https://t.co/hF2mICZSnC
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 18, 2024
The odds are currently heavily in the favor of the Texans and the difficulties which the Cowboys are having will make it even easier for the Texans to win. The spread for this game is at 7 points, and it means that unless the Cowboys are able to use their home advantage to the fullest, they have very little chance of winning the game. A total of 42.5 with similar odds on both sides would mean that there are expectations of a game where scoring would be moderate, which corresponds with the teams’ recent form.
C.J. Stroud QB vs. Cooper Rush QB
The Texans have been boosted by the C.J. Stroud season which has been effective and dependable. Stroud in the past 10 matches has managed to complete 62.9 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,371 yards and 12 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. Despite of being sacked 34 times, Stroud’s ability to maintain a passer rating of 89.1 indicates quick decision-making and an element of toughness. Stroud’s ability to throw a 67 yard long pass will be important for the Texans in penetrating the Dallas Cowboys defense.
On the flip side, the Cooper Rush season has been tough due to him playing limited time and not producing in the games. Having appeared in just 5 games, throwing for only 212 yards and registering only one touchdown, his passer rating of 62 stands in stark contrast to his counterpart. Currently he does not have the capacity to be a deep threat and his completion percentage is rather low at 56.5 percent and as such, he might be an obstacle for the Cowboys’ offense and make it difficult to keep pace with the Texans offense.
Texans’ Ground and Air Attack
The Texans’ recent victories can largely be attributed to their balanced offensive strategy. Joe Mixon, with 655 rushing yards and seven touchdowns across seven games, has been a consistent ground threat, while Tank Dell’s 394 receiving yards show a targeted aerial attack. Their performances against teams like the Jets, where the Texans fell short despite strong individual stats, highlight the need for more cohesive play against tougher defenses like the Cowboys’.
Cowboys’ Offensive Struggles
The Cowboys’ season has been marred by offensive inconsistencies, as evidenced in their crushing defeat to the Eagles (34-6) and a less competitive stance against the 49ers (30-24). Rico Dowdle and CeeDee Lamb have shown flashes of brilliance, but without consistent quarterback play, their efforts have often not translated into points. The lack of multi-dimensional threats has made the Cowboys predictable and easier to defend against, a trend they must reverse to stand a chance against the Texans.
Trends
Houston Texans Betting Trends
Texans are 5-0 in their last 5 games.
Texans are 2-3 in their last 5 games against the spread
Texans are 2-3 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 1 of Texans’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 0 of Texans’ 5 last games at home
Dallas Cowboys Betting Trends
Cowboys are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
Cowboys are 2-3 in their last 5 games against the spread
Cowboys are 2-3 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 3 of Cowboys’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 3 of Cowboys’ 4 last games at home
Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Prediction
Considering the present form along with the head-to-head statistics, the Texans seem poised to cover the spread against the Cowboys. From the Texans’ strong offense and defense, the -7 spread is reasonable in that they will dictate both the tempo and outcome of the game. Therefore, it probably makes sense to take the Texans to cover the spread along with the under of 42.5 total points since both teams have struggled to score a lot of points on a regular basis in the last few games.
If you are planning to place prop bets, Joe Mixon should be considered for an anytime touchdown since he is in good scoring form this season. There is also the over to be taken on C.J. Stroud passing yards considering he plays weak cowboys defense and has an average of 237.1 yards per game. All in all, the Texans are the better pick as their collective gameplay and team strategy should be enough to beat a diving Cowboys team.
Score Prediction: Houston Texans 28, Dallas Cowboys 17.
