Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans

Dallas demolished the Colts 54-19, but the score is a bit misleading as Indianapolis made it easy by turning the ball over five times in a row in a remarkable display of ineptitude. Even Houston won't be that bad this week as they try to stay within the huge point spread and the Texans' scoring margin this season is only minus 8.2 points. Houston was outgained only 304-283 against Cleveland and the Browns scored all their points on field goals, a punt return, an interception return and a fumble return in an ugly game. Obviously, if the Texans can keep the mistakes to a minumum they have the defense to keep it reasonably close. The Cowboys are 0-4 ATS their past four games after scoring at least 30 points their previous game and 5-2 UNDER in that situation. Houston is 12-5 UNDER its past 17 versus teams with winning records and 10-3 UNDER on the road and the Texans have stayed UNDER their last four games. Grab the big points with the Texans and the UNDER.

The preseason has not gone well for the Dallas Cowboys. They enter what will be Game 3 for them at 0-2 after dropping their previous game to Arizona. Houston looked unexpectedly good offensively in routing the Packers last week. Dallas lost the battle at the line of scrimmage by a scant two yards vs. Arizona, and I think Dallas will feel the urgency to come out in this one to get a win. While the Cowboys' backups have not really looked good, I think you are going to see a lot more starter minutes here in Game 3. Houston is just not a very good football team, and I just don't see them putting together consecutive quality games, especially against a team that has some urgency to find the win column. Make the play on Dallas.

Houston's emphasis has been on upgrading the offensive line and they've rushed for 168 and 138 yards in two NFL Preseason games, averaging 4.8 and 4.4 yards per carry. Running the pigskin chews up yards and the clock. They head to Dallas, a team that never shows anything on offense in the first two weeks of preseason under coach Jason Garrett. In the opener they lost 17-9 at San Francisco with 55 yards rushing on 18 carries (3.1 ypc) and last week topped the Rams (14-10) with just 251 total yards. The offense is 7-of-30 on third and fourth down. Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper (heel) will not play in any preseason games. In their last six August contests, the Cowboys have averaged 11 points per game. At least the defense is strong, holding the 49ers to 4-of-12 on third down and the Rams to 67 yards rushing, 4-of-15 on third down. Look for more punts and field goals than TDs. Play this one to finish UNDER.

Dallas is a dog but playing great defense at seventh in the NFL in points allowed (19.3 per game), with a strong front line that allows just 97.8 yards rushing per contest. RB Ezekiel Elliott is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and will play, providing balance with mobile QB Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have covered five of the last six road games against teams with losing home records. Dallas is off a 26-24 win over Detroit and is 10-2 ATS after topping 400 total yards in their previous game. They are a dog to a Houston defense that has struggled at #22 in yards allowed, #27 against the pass, and #21 in points surrendered (27 ppg). The Texans come off a rare win, but are on a 1-8 spread run, plus 4-10 ATS when following a victory. This shapes up as a close one, so back the dog with the far better defense. Play Dallas.