In what is widely regarded as the most important week of the NFL preseason, the Dallas Cowboys will take a road trip to Houston this weekend to take on the Texans in an all-state match up with college football betting type feel. With two weeks left before the regular season gets underway, these teams still have work to do, and with starters expected to play out at least the first half, it should provide for some exciting football. The Texans have more to work out position-wise than the Cowboys, but neither team will have a decided home field advantage, and you have to bet that Dallas’ owner Jerry Jones would like to see his team beat “the other guys”, even if it is just preseason ball.
NFL Preseason Week Three
Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans
Saturday August 28, 2010 – 8:00 PM ET
Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
NFL Betting Line: Texans – 120
Betting Preview: Cowboys
There is not much left to accomplish this preseason for a Dallas team that has stayed largely intact since Wade Phillips took over as head coach three years ago. With the starters determined for every position, the main goal for Phillips and his staff will be to make sure that they can get through the biggest dress rehersal of exhibition play without suffering any major injuries to their starters. Quarterback Tony Romo should get a few series’ of work as he continues to develop chemistry and game-ready timing with his receivers, while the defense will face a strong test in a Texans’ offense that can run hard and air it out.
Betting Preview: Texans
Unlike the Cowboys, the Texans still have at least a few concerns for starting jobs on their roster. With linebacker Brian Cushing serving a four-game suspension for using a banned substance last season, Houston will need to determine how they are going to try and fill the void left by the 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Also, look for quarterback Matt Schaub to last at least the first half, with tight end Owen Daniels potentially returning to the field after being cleared to play. Whether Daniels gets the work he needs with Schaub this week or next will be something Kubiak has to decide.
The Match Up: Cowboys vs Texans
This contest will come down to which coach wants it more in terms of an online sports betting perspective, as neither team has much to play for other than the pride of playing in front of the Texas fans. The Cowboys appear set for the regular season, and while they haven’t made the final roster cuts, the starters have already been determined. The same can be said about the Texans for the most part, although Houston may give their starting defense a little more time to solidify some holes. It will be interesting to see how these teams play given the in-state rivalry, but the betting edge goes to the Cowboys.
Betting on NFL Pick: Cowboys + 110
