Every week during the season, we’ll scout out the Cowboys next opponent. This week, that opponent is the Houston Texans.
The Opponent: The Houston Texans, aka the Houstonians, aka the Footballteamians, aka Sam’s Club’s Generically Named South Texas Football-Related Product.
Record: 2-0
The Line: Texans by 3. This is the first time all season the Cowboys have not been favored. This should please you immensely. HOORAY FOR RECALIBRATED EXPECTATIONS!
Last Game: A thrilling 30-27 game in Washington that Houston really didn’t deserve to win. The Texans stormed back from 17 down in the second half to tie Washington in regulation. The Skins could have won it had Graham Gano hit a short field goal, or had Joey Galloway caught a long bomb from Donovan McNabb on a wide open go route, but neither happened and Houston escaped by the skin of its teeth in overtime. It’s the sort of victory that happens to teams who are clearly on the verge of having a charmed season.
The Coach: Gary Kubiak. Kubiak is a lousy coach who threw away a chance to win the game last week when he passed up a 52-yard field goal try in overtime and opted to punt. Who does this? Who is this passive? The Skins should have been handed a win on the spot after that.
The Offense: Possibly the best i+n football. Matt Schaub led the league in passing last year and nearly threw for 500 last week alone. Andre Johnson catches everything regardless of coverage, and Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones make fine alternatives on the opposite side. Arian Foster is an emerging beast at running back, and after neglecting the o-line for years, that group now appears to be one of Houston’s biggest strengths. Not the team you want to play when you’re 0-2.
The Defense: Mario Williams is a beast and we all owe the Texans an apology for mocking them for taking Williams over Reggie Bush and Vince Young. Will a kiss on the fanny do, Mr. McNair? You seem game for it.
Key Matchup: Williams vs. Marc Colombo. Protect Tony Romo, and maybe he avoids all those pesky turnovers he created last week. Then again, perhaps that’s asking too much of the Cowboys offense right now.
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