1* Free Play Houston Texans.

Dallas has been a spread covering machine the past three weeks but I think the value will be with Houston in this rivalry game. The visiting Texans (3-1) showed their defensive might again in Week 4 with a 23-17 win at home over Buffalo. J.J. Watt had five tackles and six hits on the opposing QB to go with an interception that he ran in for a touchdown. The Texans won without getting a lot of production from star running back Arian Foster who suited up but rushed for just six yards. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been solid but not spectacular in the 3-1 start for a Houston team that was the worst in the NFL last season. The Dallas Cowboys (3-1) impressed everyone with a 38-17 win at home over New Orleans on prime time Sunday last week, RB DeMarco Murray continued his massive rushing season with 146 yards and two TD's to help pace the well balanced offense. Tony Romo was 22-of-29 for 262 yards without an interception. With all due respect to the Cowboy's three game winning streak though, a matchup with this defensively solid Texans team is going to be a stern wake up call in my opinion. Dallas struggled in Week 1 against a very good defense in San Francisco and it will be facing something similar here. Remember that the Cowboys are a much better team as the underdog in recent years, they are just 6-12 ATS as a favorite the past three seasons and only 2-5 ATS in their last seven as a favorite in the 3.5 to 9.5 points range. Houston has been impressive under the guidance of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, the unit has become a master at disguising blitzing and rushing opposing QB's with small fronts. With a far healthier Foster this week, the Texans offense will be much more dynamic. Expect this big contest in the heart of Texas to be a very competitive game where taking the points would seem to be the sound wager.

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