The Dallas Cowboys cannot afford another slow start against the Houston Texans. This game is not about hope; it is about execution in the trenches. The team must force C.J. Stroud out of the pocket right now or the season slips away fast. A 1-2 start feels heavy, but a loss to an 0-3 team would be a disaster. The pressure has to come from the edge, and it has to start on the first snap.
The Pass Rush Must Wake Up
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has taken the heat for recent struggles, but the defense needs to step up first. The pass rush off the edge was flat against the Baltimore Ravens last week. Rashan Gary did not play well, and Von Miller was a non-factor in the loss. Donovan Ezeiruaku got near the quarterback but could not finish the job. Malachi Lawrence only saw 17 snaps while the team needed more production. If the Cowboys want to win this matchup, they need more from their defensive front immediately. The Texans have a quarterback who has been sacked more than any other player this season besides Baker Mayfield. That is a clear target for Dallas to exploit.
Stroud Under Fire
The Houston offense has looked static under coordinator Nick Caley, and that helps Dallas. C.J. Stroud faces loaded boxes and cannot push the ball downfield effectively. According to Sports Illustrated, the majority of NFL experts do not believe in Dallas for this Week 4 matchup. They see a trap game where the 0-3 Texans might climb out of the hole again. But the stats show Stroud is vulnerable. He has been sacked frequently, and the protection around him is shaky. If the Cowboys drop bodies into coverage to clog passing lanes, they can force mistakes. The secondary will be missing P.J. Locke, Cobie Durant, and Jalen Thompson for the foreseeable future. This makes getting to the quarterback even more critical for the team’s survival.
The Run Game Reality Check
While the focus is on the pass rush, the offensive line must hold its ground too. Terence Steele faces a tough test against Will Anderson Jr., who is playing outstanding football. Yahoo Sports suggests the Texans must cease forcing runs and allow Stroud to attack the Cowboys. Houston holds the 30th rank in rushing, averaging 84.6 yards per game. David Montgomery and Woody Marks are getting stopped before they even hit the line of scrimmage. Through Week 3, the Cowboys permitted opposing quarterbacks to complete 72.6% of passes for seven touchdowns. Those numbers are inviting for Houston, but Dallas can flip the script. If the defense pressures Stroud, the Texans will be forced into bad decisions. The Cowboys control their own response, and they must use it to win.
