Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans Week 5 NFL Picks & Predictions 10/7/2018

Sunday, October 7, 2018

NRG Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Dallas Cowboys head to NRG Stadium to play the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 7, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 3.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 45.5.

The Cowboys are 1-3-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 1-3-0. The Texans are 1-3-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 2-2-0.

Valuable Dallas Cowboys Betting Trends

The Dallas Cowboys are 1-3-0 against the over/under

The Dallas Cowboys are 1-3-0 against the spread

Important Houston Texans Betting Trends

The Houston Texans are 2-2-0 against the over/under

The Houston Texans are 1-3-0 against the spread

Key Dallas Cowboys Injuries

10/02/18 RB Ezekiel Elliott Knee is probable Sunday vs Houston
09/30/18 DT Antwaun Woods Calf injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Houston
09/30/18 DL David Irving Suspension Served is probable Sunday vs Houston
09/30/18 S Jeff Heath Shoulder injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Houston
09/30/18 DT Maliek Collins Knee is questionable Sunday vs Houston
09/30/18 WR Tavon Austin Shoulder injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Houston
09/26/18 DE Datone Jones Knee IR
09/24/18 LB Sean Lee Hamstring is OUT 2-4 weeks
09/07/18 G Parker Ehinger Knee IR
09/04/18 WR Cedrick Wilson Shoulder IR
09/04/18 S Jameill Showers Knee IR
09/04/18 G Marcus Martin Toe IR
09/04/18 WR Noah Brown Hamstring IR
08/23/18 C Travis Frederick Illness is out indefinitely

Key Houston Texans Injuries

10/01/18 CB Aaron Colvin Ankle is out indefinitely
10/01/18 T Kendall Lamm Shoulder is questionable Sunday vs Dallas
09/30/18 LB Brian Peters Ankle injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Dallas
09/30/18 WR Will Fuller V Hamstring injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Dallas
09/30/18 CB Kayvon Webster Achilles is questionable Sunday vs Dallas
09/30/18 G Senio Kelemete Knee injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Dallas
09/26/18 WR Bruce Ellington Hamstring IR
09/22/18 T Seantrel Henderson Leg IR
09/12/18 CB Kevin Johnson Concussion IR
09/04/18 LB Ben Heeney Ankle IR
09/04/18 CB Jermaine Kelly Undisclosed IR
08/03/18 S Andre Hal Illness is out indefinitely
08/03/18 RB D'Onta Foreman Achilles is out indefinitely

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Dallas Cowboys are 14th in the National Football League in points scored with 67. They have run 230 plays this year for 1,247 yards, which ranks them 14th in the NFL in total offense. The Cowboys average 5.4 yards per play, which is 14th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 76 1st downs this season, ranking them 13th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Dallas has run for 581 yards as a unit, which ranks 2nd in the league. They've run 101 times, averaging 5.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Cowboys have been penalized on offense 25 times for 207 yards so far this year, which has them 24th in the NFL in penalties. Dak Prescott has passed for 753 yards this year. He's completed 71 throws while attempting 115 passes for a completion percentage of 61.7%. His quarterback rating this season is 85.2. He averages 10.6 yards per completion and 6.5 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Dallas is 13th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 77. They have given up a total of 1,225 yards on D, which is 8th in the league. The Cowboys are 11th in yards per play allowed with 4.9. Their pass defense has allowed 6 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 7th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 90 throws on 126 attempts against the Dallas Cowboys defense this season, ranking them 31st and 22nd in the league. The Dallas pass defense has also surrendered a total of 834 yards in the air, which is 11th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 108 attempts for 391 yards this season, putting them in 8th place in the NFL against the run. The Cowboys have had 30 penalties for 229 yards on defense this year. That places them 12th in the league. They've allowed a score on 33.3% of possessions on defense, which is 10th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Dallas is 21st in the NFL in punt returns with 7. They've totaled 33 punt return yards and are averaging 4.7 yards per return, which is 11th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 15 yards. They have returned 4 kicks for 98 yards on special teams, placing them 20th in kick return yardage. The Cowboys average 24.5 yards per kick return and have a long of 35 yards this season. They are 18th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 1,465. The Dallas Cowboys have tried 9 field goals this season and made 8, which is 22nd in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 88.9%. Dallas Cowboys kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 5 for 5 this season. Their punters have accumulated 784 yards on 17 punts, averaging 46.1 yards per punt. That ranks them 24th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Houston Texans have run for 493 yards as a team, which ranks 14th in the NFL. They've run 114 times, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Texans have been penalized on offense 34 times for 236 yards so far this season, which has them 3rd in the league in penalties. They are 17th in the NFL in points scored with 96. They have run 279 plays this season for 1,655 yards, which ranks them 20th in the league in total offense. The Texans average 5.9 yards per play, which is 20th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 93 1st downs this year, placing them 14th overall as an offensive unit. Deshaun Watson averages 8.4 yards per pass attempt and 13.5 yards per completion. He has completed 92 passes on 148 attempts for a completion percentage of 62.2%. His quarterback rating is 93.5. He has thrown for 1,246 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Texans rush defense has allowed 109 attempts for 377 yards this year, putting them in 13th place in the league against the run. Houston has committed 27 penalties for 211 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 31st in the NFL. They've given up a score on 41.7% of possessions on defense, which is 29th in the league. They are 32nd in the league in points allowed on defense with 108. They have surrendered a total of 1,529 yards on D, which is 20th in the NFL. The Houston Texans are ranked 29th in yards per play allowed with 5.6. Their pass defense has given up 7.1 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 30th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 106 passes on 152 attempts against the Houston defense this season, placing them 6th and 3rd in the National Football League. The Texans pass defense has also given up a total of 1,152 yards through the air, which is 24th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Houston Texans have attempted 11 field goals this season and made 9, which is 25th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 81.8%. Houston kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 9 for 9 this year. Their punters have totaled 756 yards on 18 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That places them 2nd in the NFL in punting average. Houston is ranked 11th in the league in punt returns with 11. They've accumulated 109 punt return yards and average 9.9 yards per return, which is 18th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 27 yards. They have returned 11 kicks for 266 yards on special teams, ranking 28th in kick return yardage. The Texans average 24.2 yards per kick return and have a long of 36 yards this year. They are 20th in the league in all-purpose yards with 2,114.

Who will win tonight's Cowboys/Texans NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Texans -3.5

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