Next Monday night will be interesting.
This Week 11 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans is one of those interstate rivalries that can divide household’s, pitting friends against friends and family against family in the state of Texas. Due to the current state of one of these teams, the excitement of this rare head-to-head regular-season meeting has all but lost its appeal.
These two teams are on different ends of the spectrum heading into this Week 11 matchup. The Cowboys really have nothing left to play for this year with their playoff hopes ended, but the Texans are playing for the playoffs, even with their close but unfortunate loss to the Detroit Lions last week.
One thing that makes this game interesting is some of the individual matchups that should be entertaining to watch. Sadly the brother-against-brother battle between Stefon and Trevon Diggs won’t take place, but there are several other battles to keep an eye on this week.
DE Micah Parsons vs. LT Laremy Tunsil
After missing multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, Micah Parsons’ triumphant return to the field proved why he is one of the most feared pass rushers in the entire league. He registered two QB sacks last week against the Eagles and will try to replicate that success in Week 11 against the Texans. That’s easier said than done though considering Houston’s LT Laremy Tunsil has only given up two sacks this year. He is however the most penalized OT in the league (14), which means Parsons could at least get the better of him that way.
CB Trevon Diggs vs. WR Nico Collins
A lot of us had this Week 11 matchup circled on the calendar to watch the head-to-head battle between brothers Stefon and Trevon Diggs. Unfortunately a season-ending knee injury for Stefon prevents that from happening. Instead of that matchup, the one between Trevon and Nico Collins is a pretty interesting one as well. Collins has been out since Week 5 with a hamstring injury, but led the league in receiving with 567 yards at that point. Neutralizing his impact on the game could fall mostly on Diggs’ shoulders this week. All of this is predicated on Collins playing, which is expected at this point.
LT Tyler Guyton/Asim Richards vs. DE Will Anderson
It’s unknown right now if Tyler Guyton will return to the starting lineup after being inactive for last week’s game, but whether it’s him or Asim Richards, they will have their hands full with one of the best young pass rushers in the league in Will Anderson. Like Guyton, Anderson also missed last week’s game. Despite that though, he is still tied third in the league with eight QB sacks this season. The second-year pass rusher could be a problem this week. The same is true for Danielle Hunter versus Terence Steele on the other side.
