The Dallas Cowboys face off against the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. This matchup is particularly important for both teams; the Cowboys enter with a 1-2 record, and the Texans are still seeking their first win of the season at 0-3.
Why it matters: This game is a must-win for both franchises as they look to regain momentum early in the season. A loss for Houston would likely extinguish any playoff hopes, marking another rough start under coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Texans have started 0-3 in consecutive seasons, and an 0-4 record would mirror the struggles of the Bill O'Brien era.
Dallas suffered a narrow loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week, falling 34-31, and needs to regroup to avoid slipping to 1-3.
Both teams are vying for pride in the Battle of Texas rivalry, making this contest even more intense.
Driving the news: The Texans lost 19-17 to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, a game where they led late but failed to secure a victory. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 167 yards and one touchdown in that game.
Stroud has thrown for 794 yards this season without an interception, ranking ninth in the league for passing yards.
Dallas was the first team in NFL history to travel over 5,000 miles for a game without extra rest, which adds to the stakes of this matchup.
The Cowboys' defense ranks last in defensive EPA per play and success rate, allowing 6.0 yards per snap.
State of play: The Cowboys are averaging 29.3 points per game, but their defense has been a liability, allowing 27.3 points per game. In comparison, the Texans average only 18 points per game.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has thrown for 730 yards and seven touchdowns this season, tied for fifth in the NFL.
Houston’s defense has forced three turnovers in their last game, but they struggle against the pass, allowing 75 points in three games.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will miss this game due to injury, impacting the Texans' defensive strategy.
The big picture: Both teams are looking to turn their seasons around. For the Texans, a win would be a much-needed confidence boost, especially after a disheartening start.
The Cowboys need to stabilize their season to avoid falling into a deep hole early on.
Houston's struggles have been compounded by an anemic offense that ranks among the lowest in the league for rushing yards.
In their last meeting in 2024, the Texans defeated the Cowboys decisively, 34-10, adding pressure on Dallas to perform this time around.
What they're saying: Analysts are divided on who will come out on top in this matchup. Some believe the Texans can capitalize on Dallas' defensive woes.
Cole Thompson, a sports analyst, stated, "This is a must-win for both sides, but the Texans' defense stepped up last week and recorded three turnovers. I expect a pick-six and two touchdowns from C.J. Stroud to make the difference in this game."
Ariana Pensy, another analyst, noted, "Houston's defense faces an uphill challenge, but if Nico Collins returns, it could help their offense significantly against a weakened Dallas secondary."
By the numbers: The statistics tell a story of contrasting fortunes for both teams.
The Cowboys are converting 57.1% of their third downs, the second-best rate in the NFL, compared to the Texans' 36.4% conversion rate.
Dallas has allowed only three sacks this season, demonstrating solid protection for Prescott, whereas Houston's defense has struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Stroud's average of 265 passing yards per game shows he can be effective, but the Texans' offense remains inconsistent.
What's next: The game is set to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FOX. Fans can also stream the game via FOX One.
The matchup features commentators Kenny Albert, Greg Olsen, and Pam Oliver, who will provide live coverage and analysis.
Following this game, the Texans will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 5, and the Cowboys will look to bounce back against the New York Giants.
Both teams are eager to establish a winning path moving forward, making this clash in Houston one to watch.