(SportsRadio 610) - What a difference four years can make.
The last time the Texans played the Cowboys was in the fifth game of the 2018 season at NRG Stadium. It was the toughest, most physical game of the season, with the Texans winning 19-16 on a Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal in overtime.
The Texans have only three players – Fairbairn, snapper Jon Weeks and tight end Jordan Akins – who played against the Cowboys four years ago. It's another example of the colossal makeover orchestrated by second-year general manager Nick Caserio.
The Texans began the 2018 season – their fifth under Bill O'Brien -- with a three-game losing streak before winning 37-34 in overtime at Indianapolis, where Deshaun Watson beat Andrew Luck.
The Dallas game was the Texans' second victory during a nine-game winning streak that propelled them to an 11-5 record and a third AFC South title under O'Brien. They lost in the playoffs at home to Luck and the Colts.
The Cowboys, coached by Jason Garrett, entered the game with a 2-2 record. Their defense beat up Watson, but he survived to help the Texans pull out the victory. Dallas went on to a 10-6 record, an NFC East title and a wild card victory over the Seahawks before being eliminated from the playoffs by the Rams.
On Sunday, the Cowboys host the Texans at AT&T Stadium, where Dallas is a 17-point favorite. The Cowboys are 9-3 and one of the best teams in the NFC. The Texans are 1-10-1 and the worst team in the NFL with a seven-game losing streak. They're last in offense with 279.3 yards a game and next to last in scoring with 15.6 points a game.
Based on where these teams are, the game could get hideous early. This is like a vacation for the Cowboys because they play the Texans and Jaguars in back-to-back games before their Christmas Eve rematch with the Eagles.
The Texans are 28th in defense (378.3), including 32nd against the run (169.1) and 13th against the pass (209.2). Lovie Smith's defense has allowed four touchdowns in the last three games – the same number as Pep Hamilton's offense that's been a turnover machine. Interestingly, the Texans have surrendered only 10 touchdown passes, second-fewest in the NFL to Denver's nine.
Because Pep Hamilton's offense has been so horrendous and hasn't scored more than 17 points in the last six defeats, quarterback Davis Mills is returning as the starter over Kyle Allen, whose two-start experiment failed miserably.
"We were real about why we made the move," Smith said this week. "We don't give out permanent jobs. It's about how you play each week, and we put a lot into your last performance. With all of our players we look at it on a week-by-week basis. We evaluate, and if we think a move is warranted, we go with that. Our players know that, and it's not just lip service. That's exactly how we do it."
Mills watched from the sideline as the Texans lost at Miami and at home to Cleveland in quarterback Deshaun Watson's first game since the 2020 season. The Texans scored 29 points in those defeats. They scored 10 in Mills' last start against Washington.
"When you're in that role, you're going to do a lot of observing," Smith said about Mills being on the bench. "He's going through all those drills (in practice) like all our quarterbacks do. It's just looking at it from a different perspective. He continued to be our captain and did all the things he was doing before. I think the second time around, you kind of appreciate the position you're in a little better. I know that's the case.
"Observing can help instead of you being the guy that's always under the gun. I know how he handled it. He was a pro about it. He switched roles with Kyle and did whatever he could to help as a backup quarterback. I know he's excited about another opportunity."
Mills, who was benched because he'd thrown a league-leading 11 interceptions at the time, returned the lineup with five games remaining in his rookie season. During that stretch, the Texans went 2-3, and Mills had nine touchdown passes, two interceptions and victories over the Jaguars and Chargers.
During that five-game stretch, Mills had only one rating of less than 92.2. His rating was 130.6 in a 41-29 victory over the Chargers and 128.5 in a 28-25 loss to the Titans in the last game when they needed a victory to secure home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
"When he came back last year, he played a lot better," Smith said. "If you're a competitor, when you're not playing your best ball, sometimes you don't have it, and you need to take a step back. I know most of the time when guys come back, we're going to get their best. That's what we need right now."
Anyone trying to compare Mills' return this season to last season should pay attention to one noticeable difference: Tim Kelly was the offensive coordinator who called plays last season. Hamilton has that role this season, and he's done a terrible job.
Something else to consider: Mills is 3-17-1 as a starter, including two victories over Jacksonville. He's 2-10 on the road, with both victories against the Jaguars. He has seven touchdown passes and 12 interceptions away from home, including four and four this season.
Smith couldn't have picked a more difficult assignment for Mills in his return to the lineup. The Cowboys have a three-game winning streak, an intimidating pass rush and a motivation to keep winning before they tangle with the Eagles.
Mills' starting receivers, Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins, didn't practice this week because of injuries. If that's not bad enough, he's going against a Micah Parsons-led defense that leads the NFL with 48 sacks. Dallas is fifth in defense (309.6 yards), including second against the pass (179.8). No wonder the point spread is so lopsided.
The best thing about Sunday's game is both teams have something to play for. The Cowboys are trying to overtake the Eagles for the NFC East title and a home game in the playoffs. The Texans are trying to get the first overall pick in the draft. They'll move one step closer after getting clobbered by Dallas.
(John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He write three times a week and does three Houtopia Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com)
