Another primetime matchup is in the works for the Dallas Cowboys (3-6), who will host the Houston Texans (6-4) on Week 11 of Monday Night Football in the seventh edition of the Governor’s Cup since the Texans entered the NFL as franchise in 2002.

The Cowboys own the all-time series 4-2 and have never fallen to the Texans on their home turf. Dallas narrowly escaped with a 27-23 victory in their final meeting in 2022.

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Head coach Mike McCarthy and his team are coming off a frustrating 34-6 loss in Week 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles, while Houston gave up a 10-point lead late in a 26-23 loss to the Detroit Lions.

A struggling Cowboys team, reeling from four straight losses, faces a daunting task to end its losing streak and avoid its first five-game slump in nearly a decade.

With a roster depleted due to injuries, Dallas will need an all-out effort to defeat one of the league’s most improved teams over the past two seasons.

Here are three keys to victory for the Cowboys ahead of Monday night’s game.

Whether it’s Cooper Rush, Trey Lance or even the newly signed Will Grier, the Texans pass rush needs to feel good in this game.

Houston ranks seventh through 10 weeks of play with 29 sacks, despite Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. missing the last two games.

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The Texans have recorded a total of 99 pressures and 35 rushing runs this season. According to Pro Football Focus, they are in second place disturbance rate at 23.79 percent.

Dallas has allowed a total of 24 sacks this season, including three in their Week 10 loss on Sunday.

For Dallas to have a chance to surprise Monday night, it starts up front with its offensive line.

The legendary Wade Phillips, who played on both teams, once said, “Winning the turnover battle is crucial to determining the outcome of a game.” »

Well, not everyone can realize what the Lions did on Sunday night by committing six turnovers against the Texans and still managing to win.

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Houston is currently sixth with a turnover differential of plus seven, while Dallas ranks 30th with a turnover differential of minus ten.

Last Sunday, Dallas committed five turnovers that yielded 13 points, including an interception by Lance and four fumbles, including two by Rush.

Protecting the ball, especially in the air, will be crucial for the Cowboys’ offense as the Texans rank third in the league with 13 interceptions. Houston also forced seven fumbles and recovered four.

Dallas is currently tied for first with 16 fumbles committed and tied for third with 10 interceptions thrown.

This season, the Cowboys’ struggling run defense has faced running backs Alvin Kamara, Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley.

In Week 11, Dallas will face Joe Mixon, who has 655 total yards this season despite missing two games.

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The Pro Bowl guard has five 100-yard rushing performances, scored seven touchdowns and has yet to fumble this year.

Houston is currently tied for 10th in the league with 10 rushing touchdowns this season.

Through 10 weeks, Dallas has allowed the second-most rushing yards (152.1) and rushing touchdowns (15) this season.

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