Monday Night Football Showdown: Cowboys Set to Face Texans with Huge Implications
As we approach yet another thrilling Monday Night Football clash, all eyes will be on the Dallas Cowboys as they square off against their Texas-based neighbors, the Houston Texans. This intra-state battle is not just about bragging rights; it’s about more than that—it’s about momentum, pride, and playoff positioning. Whether you’re an avid Cowboys supporter, a Texans loyalist, or just a football enthusiast eager to make predictions against the spread, this game has all the ingredients for a must-watch contest.
For those tuning in, one of the big storylines revolves around a true Dallas expert who’s been red-hot with his NFL picks this year. This guru, who goes by SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein, is currently an impressive 25-9 when it comes to picks involving the Cowboys. So naturally, when a guy who’s been this good all season has hints and predictions, folks take notice!
Breaking Down the Odds
The bookmakers have set the Dallas Cowboys as heavy favorites going into Monday night’s contest. According to Caesars Sportsbook, the Cowboys are currently 17.5-point favorites for the game, while the over/under total is set at 44 points. That’s a massive spread, especially considering that the Texans are a team known to fight tooth and nail despite their struggles this season. Plus, any time you get these kinds of high-stakes showdowns, there’s bound to be drama.
Critical Factors to Watch
If you’re curious why the spread is so high, there are several key reasons driving the betting line:
- The Cowboys are an 8-3 team with playoff aspirations, led by a solid roster featuring stars like Dak Prescott, Tony Pollard and Trevon Diggs.
- Meanwhile, the Texans sit at 1-10-1 on the season, struggling to find consistency both on offense and defense.
- The Cowboy’s defense has been particularly dominant, ranking toward the top of the NFL in numerous categories.
Dallas is sporting a fierce pass rush, led by Micah Parsons, one reason the Cowboys are considered one of the strongest defensive units in the league. They’re tied for the league lead in sacks and have been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks all season. And let’s not forget their cornerback Trevon Diggs, who’s continuously shown a knack for being an opportunistic, ball-hawking defender.
Why the Texans Shouldn’t Be Underestimated
Despite their underwhelming season, the Texans enter this game hungry and perhaps even motivated by the fact that they’re heavy underdogs. They’ve had their fair share of struggles, but games like these are where upsets can happen. Their rookie running back Dameon Pierce has shown flashes of brilliance, and while they may be struggling under center, the Texans’ defense can still put pressure early. And nothing fires up a team quite like playing the “David” to someone else’s “Goliath.”
In fact, if the Texans’ defense can get after Prescott and limit the damage done by Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott, Houston could very well make this a much tighter game than the oddsmakers are giving them credit for. After all, if there’s one thing we know about the NFL, it’s that absolutely anything can happen.
Expert Predictions and Cowboys Confidence Boost
As we mentioned earlier, Larry Hartstein, who’s been red hot with his Cowboys picks, has a bold prediction for this game. Having gone 25-9 in Dallas-related picks, Hartstein adds a level of intrigue you can’t miss. It’s not just that he’s good; it’s that he’s seen something in this matchup that makes him confident enough to weigh in on how this game plays out, and let’s be clear—any time an expert knocks out picks at a rate like that, you’d be silly to ignore it!
Without giving away too much of his thought process, Hartstein leans toward the Cowboys being in full control of this game from the get-go. After all, Dallas has too much firepower on both sides of the ball. Prescott’s leadership combined with Pollard and Elliott out of the backfield is a potent combination that will be tough for a weak Texans defense to handle. Don’t forget, too, the Cowboys play at home, adding to the comfort factor for this confident squad.
Betting Locks and Picks to Consider
This brings us to a question many fans and bettors will be asking — is it safe to take the Cowboys and lay the 17.5 points? It might seem like a daunting number, but consider this:
- Dallas has gone 8-2-1 against the spread in their last 11 games as a favorite.
- Houston has gone 1-5 against the spread in their last six games overall.
- The Cowboys are potent when playing at AT&T Stadium, making them a strong home-field favorite.
While many experts back the Cowboys to win comfortably, spreads this large always carry some risk. However, with Houston ranking among the league’s most struggling teams, some betting analysts feel comfortable laying the points with Dallas in this particular spot.
The Over/Under Debate
If you’re more interested in the total score prediction, it’s worth noting that the over/under is currently set at 44 points. With the Cowboys’ ability to score in bunches, some are eyeing the over. However, the Texans’ offense has been sluggish, ranking near the bottom of the league in most major statistical categories, which could lean the game toward the under.
As a potential betting play, taking the under might make sense if you believe that Houston will struggle to score and that Dallas will run out the clock later in the game after getting an early comfortable lead. Some experts like the idea of Dallas putting the game away early and managing the clock with their run game.
Final Thoughts
This Monday Night Football game is setting up to be a fascinating one. The Cowboys are clear favorites, and with good reason, considering how well they’ve been playing. But—this is the NFL—and stranger things have happened. Should Dallas fans go into this with absolute certainty? No. The Texans are out to pull off a shocking upset, and with nothing to lose, they might just play loose and fearless.
Regardless of how the chips fall, make sure you keep a close eye on Larry Hartstein’s insights and final betting recommendations. When it comes to making bold predictions, he’s been one of the best — not just OK, but great.
Don’t Miss This Texas-Sized Showdown!
All in all, whether you’re a Cowboys fan counting down the minutes to a hopeful blowout win or a Texans supporter holding out for an underdog story, this is a game jam-packed with elements that keep fans on the edge of their seats. If you’ve got Monday night open, pencil in this clash, gather your crew, and sit back for some prime-time gridiron action. The Cowboys sure look like a force to be reckoned with, but this is football—and as we all know, anything is possible when the lights turn on, and rival teams hit the field.
Here’s hoping for a Texas-sized showdown that exceeds all expectations!
Originally Written by: Larry Hartstein
