Caleb Wilfinger
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We head down to Dallas for the conclusion of the Week 11 NFL slate, as the Houston Texans will look to get back on track against a Dallas Cowboys team that is absolutely reeling after suffering a disastrous last few weeks. The Texans are looking to stay in front in the AFC South, while the Cowboys season is precariously hanging in the balance after losing quarterback Dak Prescott for the remainder of the year with a hamstring injury. The handicap on this game seems to be a solid spot to buy the Texans given the situation, but that’s not what I’ll be focusing on in this piece.
You can find out our NFL picks on the side and total for this matchup as well as every game throughout the 2024 season, but for now, let’s take a look at my Texans vs Cowboys anytime touchdown scorer picks for MNF, which includes targeting a wide receiver and running back.
Read our full Houston Texans vs Dallas Cowboys predictions for MNF, with our expert on an 8-1-1 run!
Texans vs Cowboys touchdown scorer best bet: Nico Collins, WR, HOU (+135)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Following injuries to both Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, this Texans offense has been badly missing a spark in the passing game. CJ Stroud continues to run for his life each week thanks to Houston’s poor offensive line play, and the downfield passing offense was extremely limited without Collins in the lineup. Thankfully for Stroud and the rest of the offense, Collins is back in the fold this week, and he’ll get a great matchup against a Cowboys secondary that is allowing nearly 211 receiving yards per game this season.
Collins was racking up nearly 11 targets per game prior to the injury, and that number should stay consistent given that Diggs is out of the lineup and this Dallas defense is ripe for the picking. Collins has 3 touchdowns over his last 4 games played, so let’s back the Texans’ top target to keep on rolling with another score on MNF.
Start the new week swinging with our Texans vs Cowboys Same Game Parlay picks at +713 odds
Texans vs Cowboys touchdown scorer best bet: Rico Dowdle, RB, DAL (+175)
Odds available at Bet365 at time of publishing.
There aren’t many positive takeaways from the Cowboys’ offense with Cooper Rush at quarterback over the last few games. However, one thing that has been a bright spot is the emergence of Rico Dowdle at the running back position. The 26-year-old tailback finally secured the starting job after a poor start to the year from Ezekiel Elliot, and his role has increased as the games have piled up. Now, with Rush under center, we can expect to see a much higher workload for Dowdle out of the backfield.
Over the past 2 games, Dowdle has averaged 64 rushing yards on 12 carries, which marks the 2nd-highest total he’s had all year in that department. This week, he’s going up against a Texans defense that is allowing 4.5 yards per carry and the 3rd-most runs of 15+ yards this season. Dallas’ passing game has been shaky, so if the Cowboys do get in the red zone, look for Dowdle to be featured prominently near the Houston end zone.
See Prop Holliday’s best Texans vs Cowboys player prop bet for Monday Night Football
