ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are reeling at 3-6, making this Texas Monday Night showdown against the Houston Texans nowhere near the marquee matchup it looked like when the schedule initially game out.
The Cowboys would like nothing more than to right the ship against their neighbors from down I-45.
Here are five things to watch when the Cowboys host the Texans on Monday Night Football.
1. Micah Parsons talking with his play
Micah Parsons was at the center of the storm following his controversial comments about head coach Mike McCarthy following the Eagles game. On his podcast Monday, Parsons said he didn't intentionally throw McCarthy under the bus. But Parsons was criticized roundly for making it sound as if there is an issue with McCarthy's work ethic. Then Parsons decided to skip out on his game-week media availability.
I'm waiting to see how Parsons let's his play do the talking. We all know he is an elite game-wrecker when he's playing his best. And if what he perceived as unfair media treatment helps him find another gear, Cowboys fans will take it. Parsons and Stroud are good friends, and the Cowboys all-pro defender would love to inflict some pain on his good buddy.
2. Rush rebound
It wasn't until a couple days after the Eagles debacle that we heard QB Cooper Rush may have suffered a mild neck strain after a first quarter fumble. It would certainly help explain the lack of velocity on his throws early in the game. Rush dismissed it as no big deal and says he's ready to go this week.
Let me be clear: I'm not making any excuses for Rush. He was awful against the Eagles. It's still hard to fathom how he completed 13-of-23 passes for just 45 yards. I'll be looking to see the Cowboys take at least a few deep shots to try and create some explosiveness in the offense. There was zero against the Eagles and it made McCarthy's offense ineffective, and frankly, unwatchable.
3. Scheming up some defense
The Cowboys gave up 34 points against the Eagles but when your offense turns it over five times, you can't pin that all on Mike Zimmer's crew. In fact, Zimmer deserves credit for keeping the Cowboys in the game in the first half. He dialed up several pressure looks that gave Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts fits. The Cowboys racked up five sacks and forced two turnovers in the first half against Philly.
What will Zimmer have up his sleeve for a Texans offensive line that has been struggling? CJ Stroud is athletic enough to escape the pocket, so it could make for an interesting cat-and-mouse game between him and Zimmer.
4. Nico Collins' return could be lethal
The Texans are thrilled to have big-play receiver Nico Collins back this week. He's been out since week five with a hamstring injury. His season was off to a stellar start before getting hurt. He averaged 113 receiving yards per game before the injury.
I'll be on the lookout for how long the Texans wait before trying to get Collins free on a home run ball. He's and Stroud have connected several times for field-flipping plays. Collins was reportedly close to being ready a week ago, but Houston held him out. So, presumably he should be close to full speed Monday night. Houston has lost three of the last four though and their offensive line has struggled. So, if they dial up the long ball at the wrong time, Zimmer could make the play. That's exactly what needs to happen to help the Cowboys have a shot to pull off the upset.
5. Dowdle takes over the lead roll
This is almost comical, but Cowboy fans, I realize this probably won't be funny to you. This week, Head Coach Mike McCarthy said the team will officially scrap the running-back-by-committee approach. Rico Dowdle is officially the main guy in a Cowboys ground attack that has been anemic — and that's being nice
If you frequent this space, you already know I called for that move weeks and weeks ago. It's something that would have been better off left unsaid. McCarthy should have just proceeded in that manner and have us media types ask him about it after the fact.
Now that Dowdle is the primary back, I'll be looking to see if he has any fit in the future with the Cowboys. After what we've seen this season, I think he's been disqualified from being this team's number-one running back. But what we'll see in the coming weeks could be a great audition for Dowdle to show he deserves to stick around and have a meaningful role in the future.
