The Dallas Cowboys are America's Team, so it goes without saying that they run the state of Texas. And while they didn't turn in the best record within the Lone Star State's borders during the 2025 NFL season, the arrow is pointing up for them to reclaim that throne this coming fall.
And they'll have a chance to battle for state supremacy early in the 2026 NFL season when they take on the Houston Texans in an all-Texas grudge match. Dallas currently holds the record advantage against the league's youngest franchise, 4-3, but Houston could knot things up here with a win.
On the surface, this looks like a matchup between the NFL's most explosive offense and most intimidating defense. An immovable object meets an unstoppable force. And that's a big part of it, but as always, this contest is much more multifaceted than meets the eye.
To learn more about the Cowboys' Week 4 foe, we spoke to site expert Clay Anderson of Toro Times, FanSided's dedicated Texans site. He disclosed some vital intel about this marquee early-season showdown.
Something has to give in Dallas Cowboys' Lone Star State matchup in Week 4 against Houston Texans
Q: Houston has the nastiest defense in the NFL, and the Cowboys probably have the most electric offense in the league. Something has to give in this matchup. What do you think it will be?
A: A clash of last year’s best overall defense (Houston) and second-best overall offense (Dallas) in week four certainly makes for a potentially explosive early-season treat for NFL fans. It’s the proverbial “Unstoppable force” vs. “Immovable Object” combination. One of these units has to conquer the other, and I think it comes down to whether or not the Texans’ ferocious defensive front seven can create enough havoc for quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' offensive line. With an All-Pro duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter dominating the outside edges, and stalwarts like Sheldon Rankins, Tommy Togiai and the newly drafted Kayden McDonald manning the interior, Houston could shut down Dallas’ offense by keeping Prescott either in a horizontal position or on the run for 60 minutes.
Q: If there was ever a threat to the Dallas WR duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, it was the Texans' secondary. How do you think they plan on slowing this tandem down?
A: The Cowboys finished with the best overall receiving ranking in 2025 at 278.5 yards per game, with a combined 161 of those yards per game being credited to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Much of this was due to both receivers pressuring defenses with downfield targets for Prescott. To stifle this, the Texans will depend on a safety pairing of the newcomer (and former Cowboys nemesis) Reed Blankenship and Calen Bullock on the back end, as well as the suffocating services of their premier cornerback tandem in Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter near the line of scrimmage. It will have to be a team effort, as Pickens and Lamb make it their business to come down with the football in spite of tough catching angles and defensive pressure in their catch radius areas. If Houston can limit each to below 100 yards and one touchdown between the two at most, then that’s a win.
Q: What is the perception of CJ Stroud among Texans fans right now, and what is the vibe like around him in the building?
A: Depending on who you ask, the perception of C.J. Stroud among the fan base right now is mixed. Some still believe he’s the quarterback of the future, while others are as out on a guy as you can be at this stage in only a three-year career so far. However, the organization has outwardly shown nothing but admiration, confidence, and trust that Stroud’s best football is still in front of him.
Q: You guys allocated a ton of resources toward the OL this offseason. Do you feel that this was the right move for the Texans to finally be a top-end AFC contender in 2026?
A: The Texans’ offensive line in 2025 finished 30th (56%) in pass-block win rate and 32nd (68%) in run-block win rate. Short answer: Yes. Investing in at least five new offensive linemen who are all maulers at the point of attack is a huge boon for general manager Nick Caserio and the Texans' front office.
Q: What was the biggest or most impactful move that the Texans made this offseason?
A: For me, the biggest move was the selection of guard/center Keylan Rutledge at 26th overall in the NFL Draft. It’s less about his individual talent and more about what that move represented: It was Houston stamping what their identity was going to be on the offensive side of the football in 2026. Rutledge was seen as arguably the grittiest and most physical interior offensive linemen in the draft, if not amongst all offensive linemen drafted in general. That was a sign that Houston wanted to finally match its defense in S.W.A.R.M.-iness, and every move since has echoed that sentiment.
Q: Houston still has to have a hole in their roster or a position that fans are worried about. What is it, and do you think Dallas can take advantage of it in this cross-state rivalry game?
A: The biggest hole for Houston is arguably the unknown that comes from the lack of impact depth behind Anderson and Hunter at defensive end. After them, names like Dylan Horton, Dominique Robinson and Aly Gaye will be rotating in and out of games to give them a breather. In the meantime, Dallas could take advantage of their absences by not having to devote double teams at specific moments, which could allow for a long developing play or two that could punish the Texans’ secondary deep down field. If you give Prescott enough time to sit in the pocket and look for an opening, he can dice up a secondary with the best of them.
The Dallas Cowboys will travel across the Lone Star State in Week 4 to take on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Kickoff will take place at noon CT.
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