On Deck will be here all season to provide you with everything you need to know (and a few things you don't) about every Cowboys game during the 2014 season.
The Opponent: A year after going 2-14 and earning the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Texans appear to be rebounding. But that's not a surprise. They had some really nice pieces in place and just had an awful, awful year. The Texans' offense is suspect with shaky quarterback play, but the defense looks to be the real deal led by J.J. Watt, who made yet another ridiculous play on Sunday with a long interception return for a touchdown.
Past Meetings: The Cowboys lead the all-time series 2-1, including wins in their last two meetings. Of course, the Texans won the teams' first meeting in what happened to be the Texans' first game in frachise history — an embarrassing moment for the Cowboys. The last two meetings, though, have been convincing Cowboys wins in 2006 and 2010.
Key Matchup: Cowboys offensive line vs. J.J. Watt — Watt is a man among boys, and could be figuring his way into NFL MVP status early in the season. He is one of those rare defensive linemen that can take over a game and put a team on his back — something usually reserved for quarterbacks or running backs. The Cowboys' offensive line has been spectacular so far this year, as evidenced by DeMarco Murray's success on the ground.
Who's Hot: Before DeMarco Murray took the field on Sunday night, he led the NFL in rushing THROUGH Sunday. Then, he added 149 yards to his total. Murray is on an absolute tear right now, and if you're a Cowboys fan, you're just holding your breath hoping the annual Murray injury doesn't come this year. Speaking of injury concerns, Tony Romo had his best game of the season, going 22-for-29 for 262 yards and three TDs with no turnovers. Second-year receiver Terrance Williams caught two touchdowns while the Saints were set on containing Dez Bryant. The Cowboys' offense, as a whole, seems pretty unstoppable right now.
Aging wide receiver Andre Johnson has gotten off to a solid start this year, and led the Texans with six catches for 71 yards in Sunday's win over the Bills. His young teammate out wide, DeAndre Hopkins, continued his solid start with 64 yards and a score. Watt had an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown on which he looked more like a safety running 80 yards than a defensive lineman.
Who's Not: In the recent past, the Cowboys have not done well with success. That's why it's scary to say this: There is no one that can really fall in this category right now. Everyone played well on Sunday night. Now, you just have to wait for the other shoe to fall.
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Ryan Fitzpatrick was brought in as a short-term fix at quarterback after Matt Schaub lost his way last yaer and the Texans declined to go with a quarterback with their first-round draft pick. And now, he's reportedly on the hot seat with Ryan Mallett waiting in the wings. The Texans rushed for just 37 yards on Sunday, as injury-riddled running back Arian Foster had eight carries for six yards, while his backup, Alfred Blue, had nine yards on nine carries. That's just awful.
