The Dallas Cowboys travel to NRG Stadium to face the Houston Texans on Sunday needing an offensive response after opening the season with a 1-2 record.
Dallas Seeks Rushing Momentum Against Houston Defense
The Cowboys finally ignited their ground game against Baltimore, providing a foundation they hope to build upon in Houston. Javonte Williams rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, while Tyler Goodson added 22 yards on six attempts during his team debut. However, the Texans present a drastically different defensive challenge, particularly against runs to the exterior. Williams has averaged 7.2 yards per carry on outside runs but just 2.9 yards on all other attempts. Houston has surrendered only 112 yards and one touchdown on 30 outside runs this season, ranking as the fourth-best defense in the NFL against those plays.
This defensive strength could force Dallas to attack up the middle, especially with the Texans managing significant injuries at linebacker. Azeez Al-Shaair enters the matchup listed as doubtful due to a groin injury, Jake Hansen has been limited by a calf issue, and three other Houston linebackers sit on the injured reserve list. That attrition could place heavy responsibilities on rookies Aiden Fisher and Wade Woodaz, creating a potential opening for the Dallas offensive line to generate interior movement.
Pass Protection Challenges Against Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter
Beyond managing the linebacker injuries, the Cowboys must neutralize a formidable pass rush led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Anderson has already accumulated 20 pressures and four sacks this season, while Hunter has contributed 11 pressures and 1.5 sacks. Because both linemen rush from varied alignments, the Dallas offense cannot easily anticipate the point of attack.
Terence Steele faces a demanding assignment matching up against Anderson. Steele has been left in single blocks on just 68.7 percent of his pass-protection snaps in 2026, the lowest rate among players with at least 25 such plays. That reliance on chipping and extra blockers means Dallas often sacrifices receiving targets in the passing game to keep quarterback pocket integrity intact, elevating the importance of an effective ground attack.
Pressuring C.J. Stroud Without Relying Solely on Sacks
While the Dallas defense has generated pressure this year, converting those opportunities into sacks has proven difficult against mobile quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. C.J. Stroud presents a distinct profile. Stroud has thrown for 794 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions across three games, but his efficiency drops significantly when under pressure. He has taken 10 sacks this season—matching his total completions under pressure—while posting a 31.3 percent completion rate and a two-yard average per attempt when pressured.
The Cowboys do not necessarily need high sack totals to disrupt Stroud. By consistently collapsing the pocket, forcing rapid reads, and putting Houston into obvious passing situations on long yardage downs, the Dallas defense can swing field position. Reducing self-inflicted penalties and missed opportunities from the Baltimore game remains the primary requirement for securing a victory at NRG Stadium.
What are the records and injuries for Cowboys and Texans?
What is the record of the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans entering Week 4?
The Dallas Cowboys enter the game with a 1-2 record following a 24-21 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, while the Houston Texans hold a 0-3 record with two of their defeats coming by a single possession.
How did Javonte Williams perform in the previous game against Baltimore?
Javonte Williams rushed for 98 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, providing the primary spark for a Dallas ground attack that also featured 22 yards from debutant Tyler Goodson.
What are the notable injuries facing the Houston Texans’ defense?
Azeez Al-Shaair is doubtful with a groin injury, Jake Hansen has been limited by a calf injury, and three other linebackers are currently on the injured reserve list.
How has C.J. Stroud performed under pass pressure this season?
When pressured, Stroud has been sacked 10 times, completed just 31.3 percent of his passes, and averaged two yards per attempt while accumulating 794 total passing yards and three touchdowns without an interception overall.
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