Nico Collins' return to the Texans will be the least of the Cowboys' concerns: Monday Night Football predictions, odds

The Houston Texans have lost three of their last four games, particularly struggling on offense where they’ve averaged just 20 points in that span. But a remedy for what’s been ailing them is on the way Monday night: a meeting with the Dallas Cowboys.

Oh, yeah, Nico Collins is back too.

Both things will go a long way to helping the Texans snap a two-game losing streak and begin resembling the contender they were supposed to be entering the season. Because as Houston gets healthier, the Cowboys remain a shell of themselves with quarterback Dak Prescott and cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis all out, and several other key players questionable.

This shouldn’t be much of a contest. Houston’s stout defense shouldn’t have trouble shutting down a Cooper Rush-led offense. And the return of Collins will do wonders to open up a Texans offense that’s been lacking for big plays since losing Stefon Diggs.

Betting splits

Spread: 82% of bets on Texans / 69% of money on Texans

Moneyline: 52% of bets on Cowboys / 53% of money on Texans

Total: 73% of bets on over / 85% of money on over

Prince’s Pick

Texans -7

C.J. Stroud will be better with Nico Collins back in the fold, but I’ll lay the touchdown because of what the Texans defense will do. Especially against Cooper Rush, Houston’s defense should give Dallas fits.

The Eagles were able to limit Rush and the Cowboys offense to fewer than 50 passing yards last week. Houston’s defense is equally capable against the pass and generates more pressure up front than Philadelphia. That could lead to another awful showing from Dallas, which doesn’t have a run game to speak of.

On the other end, the Texans will be able to control the clock and open up their own offense with Joe Mixon, who should have a big game against a Cowboys defense allowing more than 150 rushing yards per game.

Prince’s Prop

Jake Ferguson Under 35.5 receiving yards

Did I mention the Cowboys offense could struggle in this one? Yeah, I’m not expecting much from Cooper Rush — whose passing yards prop is just 175.5 — so I’m definitely not expecting much from the players who rely on him to get them the ball.

That’s especially the case for Ferguson, who has the added hurdle of going against a Texans defense that has allowed the fewest catches and yards to tight ends this season. But even if you take Houston out of it, Ferguson has still been under this line in three of his last four games.

Anytime TD scorer

Dalton Schultz (+210)

Let’s stick with the tight ends here, except we’ll go to Houston for our anytime touchdown pick. Joe Mixon is easily the most likely player to score, but I don’t want to eat the juice on his odds. Instead, let’s take a shot on Schultz.

Why? Because this is his first game back in Dallas after spending the first five years career with the Cowboys. I’m sure the Texans will want to make his homecoming a special one, and it’s a great matchup to do it. The Cowboys have allowed touchdowns to tight ends in four of their last five games, and the return of Nico Collins will open things up underneath for Schultz.