The Cowboys and Texans meet in Week 11, each with a chip on their respective shoulder. Dallas is coming off a humiliating defeat to the division rival Eagles. It marks their fourth consecutive loss and all but banishes even the slightest of postseason hopes.
Houston is coming off an equally humiliating loss. While their defeat occurred in the closing seconds, it was an improbable collapse against a quarterback who thew five interceptions in the sloppy affair. It marked the first time in almost 12 years a team has intercepted an opponent five or more times and lost.
For the 6-4 Texans, Week 11 is a chance to get back on track and fully focused on finishing the regular season strong. Houston didn’t just lose last week but they’ve lost three of their last four and can see their postseason expectations erode before their eyes.
For the 3-6 Cowboys, Week 11 is a chance for Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff to prove the team has not quit, and even though the postseason is realistically out of reach, winning remains the priority in Dallas.
The two teams meet within the friendly confines of AT&T Stadium. A venue that finds itself emboldened in controversy. The open endzone windows have been the topic of conversation after a predictable ray of sunlight blinded CeeDee Lamb for what would have been a touchdown.
With everyone and everything wanting to get last week behind them, Week 11 couldn’t come any sooner. Slowik, the Texans offensive coordinator, took his foot off the gas in Week 10 against the Lions and it cost him the game. McCarthy, the Cowboys’ play caller, has floundered in the aftermath of Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury. It’s costing him his career.
Both coaches will effectively hit the market this winter. Both will be looking for head coaching gigs and both are eager to close out the current season on a high note. Slowik will come out firing. The Houston offense hasn’t been as dominant in 2024 as they were a season before but they’re still excellent. They need wins in a big way and Slowik is probably eager to empty his bag against the straggling Cowboys defense.
McCarthy just needs to show something. The Cowboys offense grinded to a halt last week against the Eagles. McCarthy’s starting quarterback only threw for 45 passing yards on a day when the offense was as interesting as a silent film.
Schultz, a former Cowboys tight end, didn’t leave on great terms. The former Stanford product played for five years in Dallas before going to Houston. His last season, 2022, was on the franchise tag with Dallas showing little effort in ever hammering anything out long term.
As with most players facing an old team, Schultz probably has hopes for a big day. He’s having his least efficient season since 2019 and will be extra motivated to show the Cowboys what they’re missing.
Mike Zimmer’s defense will be extra focused on stopping the run. Houston is a good rushing team who takes pride in their physical play. With so much focus on the run, Schultz will get plenty of opportunities as an option down field.
Houston’s pass protection has been extremely poor this season so in order for the Cowboys to even have a chance, the Dallas pass rushers will need to create havoc. Simply put, in order for the Cowboys to stay in the game, Micah Parsons must have a big night.
The Texans may not be as good in 2024 as they were a season before, but they are still a highly talented squad who are more than capable of dog walking the Cowboys. What kind of wrinkles the Cowboys roll out on offense and what kind of effort the defense shows will be important for the survival of McCarthy.
