Official Texans @ Cowboys Game Thread, 10/5/2014

[Arky]

The 3-1 Texans travel up to AT&T stadium in Dallas this Sunday to take on the 3-1 Cowboys in an early game. The Texans are coming off a home win over the Bills 23-17. The Cowboys are coming off a 38-17 shellacking of the Saints on SNF.

The Texans jumped up 7 spots to #13 in the Week 5 ESPN power rankings. The Cowboys moved up 8 spots to #10.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), Sunday, noon, Oct 5

Announcers = Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

The line = Cowboys (now) by 6 to 7

The public loves the Cowboys here but Dallas hasn't been too hot as a home favorite in the new stadium. The Texans might be the pick to, at least, cover the points. If the Cowboys convincingly throttle the Texans, then they would appear to be a real contender and seemingly playoff-bound....

[HPF Bob]

To win, the Texans will need to:

a) limit turnovers.
b) establish the run game.
c) play against "Bad Romo" instead of "Good Romo".

Failure to do any of those three and I think they'll lose.

[Nconroe]

Texans seem to have a lot of guys fairly bruised and sat out practice today
Wednesday (10/1/14)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
CB A.J. Bouye Groin
T Duane Brown Knee
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Knee
LB Brian Cushing Knee
RB Arian Foster Hamstring
DE Tim Jamison Groin
WR Andre Johnson Ankle
G Ben Jones Knee
P Shane Lechler L. Hip
CB Darryl Morris Ankle
S Eddie Pleasant Ankle
DE J.J. Watt Thigh

I expect a close well played game and perhaps Texans can win the turn over battle.

Seems the Texans and Cowboys have a very similar schedule and strength of schedule for this year.

[Nconroe]

So, how is Texans OL doing so far?

Overall not bad, but seems to me they could do a better job opening holes for the run game, giving Fitz a little more time for passes, and reducing penalties,

Looks like almost no substituions going in along the OL so far.

Houston scout blog site had these stats so far through four games:
Duane Brown Ben Jones Chris Myers Brandon Brooks Derek Newton
QB Hits 5 1 0 0 2
QB Hit/Snap 54.2 273.0 N/a N/a 136.5
QB Hurries 6 6 3 3 7
QB Hurries/Snap 45.2 45.5 91 91 39
QB Sacks 0 1 1 0 0
Snaps 271 273 273 273 273
Penalties 4 0 2 4 1

Texans offensive line penalties }

Duane Brown (4) Offensive Pass interference, False Start, Unnecessary Roughness, Offside on Free Kick

Brandon Brooks (4) False Start, Illegal Use of Hands, Chop Block, Holding

Chris Myers (2) Holding x 2

Derek Newton (1) Offensive Holding

[HPF Bob]

Saw a tweet on Friday that Foster was listed as probable and AJ was listed as questionable. Clowney is out for this game and the Colts game Thursday. Expected to return after that.

[Arky]

Ya, Cowboys today, Colts on Thursday. The Ravens, playing the Colts today, look pretty formidable so far and might just beat the Colts.

After the Thursday game against the Colts, it's 10-11 days till the Texans play the Steelers on MNF. After that, no mo' prime time - noon starts the rest of the year...

[Arky]

Here we go...

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Manning downs the kickoff in the end zone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.