This Week 11 showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans is one of those classic Texas rivalries that has the potential to ignite fierce family debates and split friends down the middle. However, the current state of these two teams has dimmed some of the excitement surrounding this rare regular-season clash.
With the Cowboys’ playoff dreams officially dashed, it may feel like the stakes have dropped for Dallas. On the flip side, the Texans—despite their gut-wrenching loss to the Detroit Lions last week—are still in the playoff hunt, making this game a must-win for Houston’s postseason hopes.
While the anticipated brother-vs-brother battle between Stefon and Trevon Diggs won’t happen this year due to Stefon’s season-ending injury, there are still plenty of intriguing individual matchups that will keep fans glued to their screens.
### DE Micah Parsons vs. LT Laremy Tunsil
After a few weeks sidelined with a high ankle sprain, **Micah Parsons** returned to the field with a vengeance, terrorizing the Eagles’ offensive line with two sacks. As one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers, Parsons will be hungry for more. But standing in his way is **Laremy Tunsil**, one of the league’s top left tackles, who has allowed just two sacks this season. Tunsil is also the NFL’s most penalized offensive lineman with 14 flags on the year, which could give Parsons a chance to make up for any missed opportunities with a few well-timed penalties.
### CB Trevon Diggs vs. WR Nico Collins
The hype for a **Diggs brothers** showdown fell flat with Stefon’s season-ending knee injury, but **Trevon Diggs** vs. **Nico Collins** still offers some exciting drama. Collins has been a breakout star this season, leading the NFL in receiving yards before a hamstring injury sidelined him in Week 5. If Collins returns this week as expected, it will be up to Diggs to shut him down and keep the Texans’ passing attack from gaining any momentum. It’s a high-stakes matchup that could be a game-changer for both teams.
### LT Tyler Guyton/Asim Richards vs. DE Will Anderson
The Texans’ second-year pass rusher, **Will Anderson**, has been a force to reckon with, ranking third in the league with 8 sacks. The Cowboys’ offensive line will need to be sharp, with either **Tyler Guyton** (who may return after being inactive last week) or **Asim Richards** tasked with keeping Anderson at bay. If Anderson gets loose, he could wreak havoc on Dak Prescott, so the Cowboys’ O-line will have their hands full trying to contain one of the most promising young defensive stars in the NFL.
### DE Danielle Hunter vs. RT Terence Steele
On the other side of the ball, **Danielle Hunter** is another elite pass rusher looking to make life difficult for the Cowboys. As one of the most relentless edge rushers in the league, Hunter will likely be matched up against Cowboys right tackle **Terence Steele**, who has had his struggles this season. If Steele can’t keep Hunter in check, it could spell trouble for Dak Prescott’s ability to stay clean in the pocket. This battle of wills could determine how much time Dak has to orchestrate the offense.
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Though the teams’ records may suggest a lopsided contest, these individual matchups are what will keep this game compelling. With both teams boasting serious talent on both sides of the ball, this Week 11 clash will come down to which team wins the critical battles up front. And with a playoff spot on the line for the Texans and pride at stake for the Cowboys, expect fireworks in what promises to be an unforgettable rivalry game.
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