Texans vs Cowboys Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 11/18/24

HOUSTON @ DALLAS (HOU -7, 41.5)

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Texans vs Cowboys Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 11/18/24

TEXANS @ COWBOYS 11/18/24

Houston made the playoffs last season thanks to an amazing season from their then-rookie QB C.J. Stroud. The young Texan led his Texans to not just the playoffs, but also a postseason victory. Things haven’t been so easy for Stroud and his Houston team as of late. Tonight, his teammates look to Stroud to right the ship as Houston visits Dallas on Monday Night Football.

Stroud’s performance has tapered off. Over his last four games, the former first-round pick has completed just 53.7 percent of his passes as Houston has gone 1-3 in its last four games. Stroud has been sacked a total of 18 times in those four games. He also threw two picks in the 26-23 home loss to Detroit last week. Houston had a 17-point lead at one point in that game.

Even though the Texans are slumping, they are still the best team in the AFC South. The Texans lead the division with a 7-3 record and own a two-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts. Getting Stroud back in good form is a top priority. He had a career-low 86 yards in a loss to Green Bay on Oct. 20 and he was sacked eight times in a loss to the Jets on Oct. 31. Against New York, he completed just 11-of-30 passes. He now has six picks, which are more than he threw in his entire rookie season. Houston coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized that the Texans issues aren't limited to just Stroud.

The Cowboys have dropped four in a row and have quarterback problems of their own. Dak Prescott has hamstring problems and is now done for the rest of the season. Cooper Rush, who has started games in place of Prescott in the past, started last week’s game against the Eagles. It was a disaster. Rush went 13-of-23 for a whopping 45 yards. Rush got yanked and Trey Lance finished the debacle, going 4-of-6 for 21 yards and one interception. Dallas star receiver CeeDee Lamb had six catches for just 21 yards.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was adamant that his team’s 3.9 yard per catch was unacceptable. That will have to change. This week, Rush was working through a neck injury. He did practice on Thursday.

Houston WR Nico Collins, who was out for five games because of a hamstring injury, is set to return for tonight’s games. Collins practiced on Friday. Star DE Will Anderson Jr. did not practice Thursday and did not play in the loss to the Lions.

Dallas has won 4 of their 6 games against Houston. The Cowboys won the most recent meeting, a 27-23 victory at home in December of 2022.

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Coach Rick Free Pick

COOPER RUSH OVER 0.5 PASSING TDS

So, you’re probably thinking Rush and the Dallas passing game was such a train wreck last week, there’s no way Rush can throw a TD pass. But, don’t overreact here. Houston has allowed at least one passing TD in all but one game this season. As bad as Anthony Richardson is, he even managed a TD pass against Houston. In 2022, when Rush started five games in place of Prescott, Rush threw for a TD in four of them. Fun YLose.com fact…Rush was trained in high school by our own Coach Rick Bowe’s organization.