NFL Futures: Monday Night Football Week 11

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Monday Night Football Odds Week 11

The Houston Texans face the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in a high-stakes Week 11 matchup at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Texans are listed as 7-point road favorites in NFL Futures following a close Sunday Night Football loss to the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are looking to break a four-game losing streak but face significant challenges after losing quarterback Dak Prescott for the season. Let’s analyze each team’s performance and how their current situations may shape this matchup.

Houston Texans 

The Texans enter this game with a 6-4 record but are coming off a tough 26-23 loss to the Lions, where they squandered a 23-7 halftime lead. The offense stalled in the second half, and despite forcing five interceptions, they couldn’t capitalize. 

Quarterback CJ Stroud threw for 232 yards with one touchdown but also committed two costly interceptions. Stroud has shown flashes of brilliance this season, averaging 237.1 passing yards per game with a 12-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio, but his recent performances have been inconsistent.

The Texans’ ground game is led by Joe Mixon, who averages 93.6 rushing yards per game and has seven touchdowns despite missing time earlier in the season. Wide receiver Nico Collins is expected to return from injury and remains the team’s top receiver with 567 yards and two touchdowns in just five games. With Stefon Diggs on injured reserve, rookie Tank Dell has emerged as another reliable target for Stroud.

Defensively, Houston has been average, allowing 22.6 points per game, but their ability to pressure the quarterback could be key in this matchup. Will Anderson Jr. leads the team with 7.5 sacks, while linebacker Henry To’oTo’o has been a tackling machine with 56 on the season. Safety Calen Bullock adds stability to the secondary with a team-high four interceptions.

Several key players, including Nico Collins, Dameon Pierce, and Will Anderson Jr., are questionable for the Texans. 

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are reeling after losing four straight games and their starting quarterback, Dak Prescott, to a season-ending hamstring injury. Cooper Rush will step in as the starter, with Trey Lance available as a backup. Last week, Rush struggled mightily in his first start of the season, completing only 13 of 23 passes for 45 yards in a 34-6 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Trey Lance saw limited action, completing 4 of 6 passes for 21 yards and an interception. The quarterback situation has drastically limited Dallas’ ability to move the ball downfield.

Dallas’ run game is also a concern, as Rico Dowdle leads the team with 374 rushing yards but has yet to find the end zone on the ground. Ezekiel Elliott’s return offers a short-yardage option but has shown signs of decline.

CeeDee Lamb remains the team’s best offensive weapon with 681 receiving yards and four touchdowns, but the lack of quarterback consistency has hindered his production.

Defensively, the Cowboys rank near the bottom of the league, allowing 28.8 points per game. Linebacker Eric Kendricks leads the team with 78 tackles, while Micah Parsons continues to draw double teams but has only three sacks this season. The secondary has struggled, managing just five interceptions, with Trevon Diggs accounting for two.

The Cowboys are even more banged up, with offensive linemen Zack Martin and Tyler Smith dealing with injuries that could further expose their already struggling offense. Prescott’s absence looms large, leaving Dallas with significant uncertainty under center.

Prediction

Houston has the advantage heading into this matchup. Stroud’s potential return to form, combined with a healthy Joe Mixon and the anticipated return of Nico Collins, gives the Texans an edge offensively. 

On the defensive side, Houston’s pass rush is poised to exploit Dallas’ injury-plagued offensive line and pressure Cooper Rush into mistakes. The Cowboys’ offensive struggles, particularly with a backup quarterback, make it difficult to envision them keeping pace with the Texans’ scoring ability. 

Prediction: Houston Texans -7