With the preseason way behind us and week one of the regular season over, football is finally back. This season is sure to excite, with many fans asking which Texas team is better. Is it the Houston Texans, the underdogs, or the Dallas Cowboys with their long-standing tradition of winning? Here is a preview of this season for these two teams and one bold prediction for the season. 

DALLAS COWBOYS

The big news out of Dallas just before the start of the season was the grand signing of running back Ezekiel Elliott, now the highest paid running back in the league. With only three practices under his belt before the team’s Sunday afternoon kickoff, his performance may have been hindered  in the opening weeks of the season. But with Elliot in the starting core, alongside quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper, the team is poised to make a good run at the playoffs. 

The Cowboys games against the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to be hard-fought wars that should be marked on every fan’s calendar if they aren’t already. The two teams have improved greatly since last season, and in a weak NFC East Division they are sure to be fighting for a top spot this year.

This is a tough spot to be in for the Cowboys. They finally have all the pieces to make it to the Super Bowl, but with a stacked conference its highly unlikely that they make it pass wild card weekend. There is too much talent in the conference and they play some of the strongest defenses this season that being bounced from the first round of the playoffs is very likely. 

HOUSTON TEXANS

For the Texans, the biggest news going into week one was the recent loss of defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle via trade. Clowney played opposite  to J.J. Watt, who has missed plenty of games due to injury, meaning Clowney was the team’s healthiest end. 

The next day, however, the Texans got an upgrade to the offensive line with the acquisition of left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Miami Dolphins. Even with Tunsil in charge of blocking Deshaun Watson’s blindside, is one new offensive lineman enough to protect their franchise quarterback? Watson was sacked 62 times last season — the most by any team to make the playoffs since 1999. 

The Texans also get some help with a super weak division. Their only competition in the AFC South will be the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the addition of quarterback Nick Foles to the team under the direction of John Dilippo — who coached Foles in Philadelphia when they won Super Bowl LII — the Jaguars pose a threat to the Texans.