Three reasons to watch Texans vs. Cowboys

The Houston Texans will take on the Dallas Cowboys in their fourth and final preseason game. As the Texans attempt to cut their roster to 53 men, tonight’s game is as important as any for players trying to make the team.  To many players, who are resting in preparation for San Diego on September 9^th, this game means virtually nothing. However this doesn’t mean that Texans fans shouldn’t watch. Here are three reasons you should abandon your responsibilities this evening and watch tonight’s game.

1. The interstate rivalry between the Texans and Cowboys

The Texans first game in franchise history was played at Reliant Stadium against the Cowboys.  As if Dallas needed any more reasons to be jealous of Houston, they were defeated at the hands of David Carr, 19-10. Since then there has existed an animosity towards the two franchises. Recently the owners of both franchises have engaged in a very expensive competition. The competition: which owner could build the largest screen in the National Football League.  As it stands now Bob McNair (owner of the Texans) handily defeated Jerry Jones (owner of the Cowboys) and proved his pockets are deeper when it comes to watching television. Unless the Cowboys miraculously make it to the Meadowlands in February, this will be the only time the two teams play this season. That reason alone makes the game worth watching.

2. Competition for the title of Matt Schaub’s backup.

This preseason has featured a tight battle for one of the most important yet hopefully insignificant job: 1^st string clipboard holder. All Texans fans hope Schaub stays healthy this season; he is the team’s most viable option at quarterback,  ergo, important yet hopefully insignificant. Keenum has played well this preseason and has lit a fire under second string quarterback T.J. Yates. Yates has responded to the challenge, and will force Kubiak to make a challenging decision following tonight’s game. Case Keenum has thrown 50 passes (34 completed) for 354 yards and 2 touchdowns while Yates has thrown 39 (completed 27) for 308 yards and 3 scores. Case gets the start tonight and Yates will come on in the second half. While Yates will most likely retain his job as second string quarterback, look for Keenum to put up big numbers during the 2 quarters he gets to play tonight.

3. Players fighting for their careers.

The final reason to put down your textbook and turn on the TV is to watch a number of hopeful future Texans fight for their jobs. This time tomorrow the Texans will have cut down their roster to 53 (it stands at 75 currently). An important thing to watch is the fight for third string running back happening between Deji Karim, Cierre Wood and Dennis Johnson. So far this pre-season veteran Karim has outplayed Wood and Johnson, mostly through special teams. He may not be the best man behind Foster and Tate, but over the last few seasons special teams has been lacking for the Texans.  Wood should be signed to the practice squad, as for Johnson, tonight could determine whether or not he is out of a job in 24 hours. 

There you have it, the glory of tonight’s game taking place in Dallas. A lot is on the line for certain players, be sure to tune in.