Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans: Reporters pick best prop bets for Week 11 matchup

The Dallas Cowboys host the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football in Week 11 (7:15 CDT; ESPN). As a way to analyze expectations for players, Texans reporter Joey Aliberti and Cowboys reporter Aaron Kasinitz each made two prop bet picks using numbers from DraftKings . Take a look at their choices below:

Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle OVER 75 rushing + receiving yards (-110)

Coach Mike McCarthy lamented his inability to help get quarterback Cooper Rush into a rhythm during last week's loss against the Eagles, so making life easier on the Cowboys' new QB1 figures to be the priority Monday night. Dowdle can help. McCarthy named Dowdle the "lead back" Thursday after a few productive weeks, averaging better than 4.4 yards per carry in four straight games. Add in a few short receptions that can help Rush find his footing, and it's not hard to see Dowdle breezing by this 75-yard mark even if the Cowboys' offense fails to thrive in other areas. - Kasinitz

OVER 42 points (-108)

This is an interesting one because Houston is the worst team in the NFL when it comes to hitting the over. It's 2-7-1 on overs this season, while Dallas is 5-4. That's been for two reasons: The Texans have defended opposing quarterbacks well, forcing them to lower completion rates, which inevitably leads to less pass yards and points. They also have struggled scoring in the second half , not scoring a second-half touchdown since Week 6 against the New England Patriots.

The Patriots are the best comparison for this matchup though. Houston was favored by 7.5 points with a 38.5 over/under against New England. The Texans won 41-21. Dallas is a much worse defense than New England, so Houston should have another strong scoring output, especially with Collins returning. Rush and the Cowboys' offense looked bad in Week 10, I expect they'll have more success in their second week. - Aliberti

Texans TE Dalton Schultz OVER 40 receiving yards (+125)

Who doesn't love a revenge game? Schultz has topped the 40-yard mark only twice the season, but both performances came over the past three weeks, and that's no coincidence. Since route-running wizard Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury in late October, Schultz has become a more prominent part of the Texans' offense. C.J. Stroud needs a comforting target, and Schultz provides it. Cowboys fans remember how Schultz developed into a reliable option for Dak Prescott during his time in Dallas from 2018 to '22, and they know Dallas' secondary is coping with a wave of injuries. All that makes a 40-yard day from Schultz seems like a smart value pick. - Kasinitz

Texans WR Nico Collins OVER 80 receiving yards (+120)

Collins should be back Monday night after missing the past five games with a hamstring injury. Houston was extra cautious with the injury, which is why he didn't play against the Detroit Lions in Week 10 after logging a limited practice last Friday. Collins made the case for best wide receiver in the league before getting injured, he leads the NFL with 113 receiving yards per game. And don't worry about a receiver shaking off the rust after a hamstring injury. Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown had 116 receiving yards against the Cleveland Browns this season after missing a month with a similar injury to Collins'. Brown also had 109 receiving yards against the Cowboys last week. - Aliberti