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By JORDAN GARRETSON

STATS Writer

 

(AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys have used a newfound commitment to the running game to fuel an impressive start.

 

The Houston Texans are hoping to reignite their own rushing attack to help relieve their playmaking defense.

 

Coming off another outstanding performance, DeMarco Murray looks to lead Dallas to a fourth straight win Sunday against the visiting Texans.

 

The Cowboys (3-1) are off to their best start in six seasons behind the NFL's best rushing attack, averaging 165.0 yards per game. Murray leads the league with 534 yards and five TDs, joining Jim Brown, O.J. Simpson and Emmitt Smith as the only players with at least 100 yards and at least one TD in each of his first four games. Brown did it in a record six straight in 1958.

 

Murray is averaging 5.4 yards per attempt and a league-high 24.8 carries. Smith's 24.5 average in 1994 is the franchise record, while Larry Johnson set the NFL's all-time mark with 26.0 for Kansas City in 2006.

 

The Cowboys rank second with an average of 32.5 rushing attempts per game - their highest average since 2005. They ranked 29th with 25.4 rushes per contest from 2006-13.

 

Murray went for 149 yards and two TDs on 24 carries in Sunday night's 38-17 win over New Orleans, and seemed to open things up for Tony Romo to complete 22 of 29 passes for 262 yards and three TDs.

 

"I think what you find is that we are consistently doing the same things each week, and in the past we weren't able to do that," said Romo, whose 69.5 completion percentage ties a career high.

 

The Cowboys must guard against complacency, though. They've been at least two games over .500 in the 12th week or later in each of the last three seasons, but missed out on the playoffs each year with 8-8 finishes.

 

"We can't let the success get to our heads," said Dez Bryant, who has caught a team-high 23 passes for 291 yards and three scores. "We have to take it game by game, practice by practice and day by day. If we do that, there's no telling what can happen."

 

The Texans (3-1) have been leaning heavily on an opportunistic defense, which is tied for the league lead with nine takeaways. J.J. Watt returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown to put them ahead in Sunday's 23-17 win over Buffalo and recorded a career-high nine quarterback hits.

 

Houston hasn't necessarily been dominant against the run, however, giving up 130.3 yards a game - making offensive improvement especially paramount.

 

The Texans ran 23 times for 37 yards against the Bills. They averaged 40.0 carries for 151.5 yards in their first two victories.

 

"We have to keep making sure that we stick the run in there. We can't just throw it 55 or 60 times a game and get away with that," coach Bill O'Brien said. "We've got to figure out how to run the ball better from a coaching standpoint and from a playing standpoint."

 

Arian Foster, who admitted he was not at 100 percent (hamstring), tallied just six yards on eight carries. His 0.8 yards per carry marked a career worst as a starter.

 

O'Brien said Foster continues to be day to day. Alfred Blue would get a majority of the carries if Foster sits out. He ran 13 times for 78 yards when Foster was sidelined in Week 3, but was held to nine yards on nine carries Sunday.

 

The Texans were also facing one of the league's top run defenses - Buffalo allows just 71.5 yards per game compared to Dallas' 108.5.

 

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been intercepted five times in the past two games after going without one in his first two contests while posting a 118.4 passer rating.

 

He'll look to take advantage of a Cowboys defense beset by injuries. Cornerback Morris Claiborne will undergo season-ending surgery after tearing a tendon in his left knee, while linebacker Bruce Carter will be sidelined with a strained quadriceps.

 

The linebacking corps has been hit particularly hard, with groin injuries sidelining Justin Durant and Rolando McClain for two games and one game, respectively. Dallas already lost Sean Lee for the season to a torn ACL suffered during organized team activities.

 

"We've just got a lot of guys that go to work, just practice and want to win," said Henry Melton, who leads the club with 1 1/2 sacks. "It doesn't just take all the big names to be a good defense."

 

Dallas won the last meeting 27-13 at Houston on Sept. 26, 2010, though Foster had 106 yards on 17 carries.

 

Source: Hosted.Stats.com

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J.J Watt vs. Tyron Smith is gonna be one hell of a battle to watch. The rest of the game is almost secondary to that. I feel like Dallas' defense matches up well enough against Houston's slow roll offense, and as long as JJ Watt merely looks like a top 5 3-4 DE, they should be fine on offense to build a lead with DeMarco Murray and never look back.

 

:Cowboys: 27

:Texans: 19

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Murray is going to run rampant on Texans defense. Only way the Texans win this game is if they can somehow significantly win the turnover battle. With the way Pickztragic has been playing, I don't see that happening...

Edited by FartWaffles

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Guest Phailadelphia

Lots of Texans fans talking shit on FB this week, which is fun because Dallas is probably going to roll over Houston. They're 3-1 but have looked thoroughly underwhelming outside of some insane performances by JJ Watt.

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Lots of Texans fans talking shit on FB this week, which is fun because Dallas is probably going to roll over Houston. They're 3-1 but have looked thoroughly underwhelming outside of some insane performances by JJ Watt.

It's the stupid "Texas rivalry" that apparently only the city of Houston participates in. It has more to do with Cowboys fans living in Houston, and nothing to do really with Dallas.

 

I fully expect the Cowboys to straight up curb stomp the Texans tomorrow. Only mouth-breather myopic Texans fans can talk trash about the Cowboys and maintain a straight face.

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Cowboys declared SLB Bruce Carter, DE Davon Coleman, DT Ken Bishop, OT Donald Hawkins, DE Lavar Edwards, QB Dustin Vaughan and LB Korey Toomer inactive for Week 5 against the Texans.

Carter is week to week. He'll be replaced by a combination of Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber.

 

 

 

Arian Foster (hamstring) is active for Week 5 against the Texans.

As is Andre Johnson (ankle). Foster was fully expected to suit up after being listed as "probable" on Friday's injury report, but it's very much a question how much work he can handle at less than 100 percent. If he doesn't look right early, the Texans could commit to a committee with Alfred Blue, leaving Foster as a high-reward, high-risk RB2.
Inactive for the Texans are QB Tom Savage, CB Darryl Morris, S Eddie Pleasant, CB AJ Bouye, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, OT Jeff Adams and WR DeVier Posey.

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Guest Phailadelphia

DEZ BRYANT DRINKS YOUR MILKSHAKE

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DEZ BRYANT DRINKS YOUR MILKSHAKE

That was an amazing catch by Dez. J-Jo couldn't have played it any better. Congrats to the Cowboys. I'm surprised the Texans kept it that close to be honest. :yep:

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Guest Phailadelphia

Amazing catch indeed. Can't remember a WR in the league that can snag jump balls like Dez.

 

I thought at the half Dallas had the game under control, but the loss of McClain in the 3rd killed us. You can see how important Bruce Carter and R McClain are to the defense. Houston did whatever they wanted to after he re-strained his groin.

 

Anyway, great game. Houston has to find a QB. Fitzpatrick is turrible.

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Anyway, great game. Houston has to find a QB. Fitzpatrick is turrible.

 

:yep: That interception he threw early was atrocious. Arian made the right read, and if Fitz just throws over the cornerback it likely goes for six. Instead Fitz throws the comeback, and it ends up looking like the corner is the intended receiver...

 

I said it would take turnovers for the Texans to win this game, and they got them. They just couldn't capitalize on them and that was the difference in the game.

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I only saw snippets of the game. How was the Watt/Tyron matchup? I did see the TD pass to TWill, when Tyron got embarrassed. How was it, otherwise?

And yes, Rolando and Bruce Carter are having fantastic years, and this defense simply can't survive without them. If I'm Jason Garrett, I rest both next week. That game's over, already. Take your 4-2 and be happy. There will be three 4-2 teams in the NFC East at the end of next week, anyway.

  • Downvote 3

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JJ Watt, 4 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 QB hits.

 

Non factor.

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:towel:

 

Loved this game down to the wire. Can't wait to see Dallas in Seattle next week for an epic match.

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JJ Watt, 4 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 QB hits.

 

Non factor.

Not only because of Tyron Smith, though.

 

Romo avoided a surefire sack on this 43-yard TD pass to Terrance Williams, Smith was completely beat by Watt on that play. Still a very good overall performance by Smith to all but shut down the best defensive player in the league.

 

The Cowboys have something special with this guy.

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That was the coolest thing I saw all day Sunday, and had the game on when that happened. When you refer to "this guy," you mean... Williams?

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He means Tyron Smith. Contextual clues are your friends.

  • Upvote 2

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Guest Phailadelphia

Tyron Smith is indeed something special, but it was a team effort. Watt lined up everywhere and was ineffective everywhere. Nice job all around. This OLine is the business, man. My favorite part of Cowboys games this year is watching them dominate in every facet of the pass and run game. Next week against Seattle will be interesting though. The noise will be a factor.

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