The battle for Texas supremacy is here The Houston Texans will face off against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Saturday for the Governor’s Cup.
With the starters from both sides set to play, if only briefly, here are the top five battles to watch out for in the dress rehearsal for the regular season.
1. WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. CB Chidobe Awuzie
With All-Pro cornerback Byron Jones still out for the Cowboys, Awuzie will be tasked with covering All-Pro receiver Hopkins on Saturday. Last week, Hopkins recorded his first two receptions of the year for 17 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t all plain sailing. He had a tough time against Detroit Lions CB Darius Slay and will likely be looking to bounce back this week.
2. OLB Whitney Mercilus vs. LT Tyron Smith
Typically, when used as a pass rusher Mercilus will be lined up on the right opposite J.J. Watt. Now, whether or not Watt plays it is easy to imagine Mercilus opposite Smith. This is no simple task.
Smith is easily one of the best tackles in the league, in one of the best offensive lines in the league. Mercilus has looked great all of training camp and recorded a sack last weekend against the Lions. However, this week will be a much tougher test and should give an indication of his level entering 2019.
3. Texans OGs vs. DL Christian Covington
This weekend will be a big game for Senio Kelemente and rookie Max Scharping, both of whom are looking to push for a starting spot in this season’s lineup.
Among the Cowboys lineup, the Texans will be preparing for are two familiar faces. Defensive lineman Christian Covington, who was drafted for and played for the Texans between 2015 and 2018, fresh out of Rice University.
Statistically, 2018 was his best season to date in terms of pass-rushing productivity. In 12 appearances for Bill O’Brien’s side, Covington recorded 3.5 sacks.
Come Saturday, Covington may well have vengeance on his mind as he lines up against the side that let him go, and so both guards will have to be on good form if they are to prevent the Canadian from proving his old side wrong.
4. Texans interior DL vs. RB Tony Pollard
The Houston Texans were excellent on run defense in 2018, and naturally, they will be hoping to continue this trend in 2019. While no Ezekiel Elliott, rookie Tony Pollard has been solid at running back for the Cowboys this preseason.
With the versatile Jadeveon Clowney still nowhere to be seen and Whitney Mercilus lining up further outside in his absence, it will be up to linebackers Brennan Scarlett and Dylan Cole to take up much of the burden as run stuffers for the moment. Both have looked extremely promising this preseason and expect them to perform well on Saturday.
5. QB Joe Webb vs. LB Justin Phillips
Webb has impressed at quarterback this preseason. Thrust into the limelight after backup A.J. McCarron was lost to injury, he’s been used far more than they would have liked, but his ability both through the air and on the ground have kept this offense rolling.
One of Dallas’ stronger performers last week against the Los Angeles Rams, Phillips racked up seven combined tackles, a defended pass, and an interception. The undrafted rookie has a lot to prove given their depth at linebacker, and one issue Webb has had this preseason is interceptions. Will the veteran field general slip one past the scrappy rookie?
