There are certain things that will let you know you are in the state of Texas. No matter how many times you have seen a person they will still greet you with, “Hey. How are you doing?” Manners is a must growing up in Texas and that’s why we always say, “Sir or Ma’am.” You will always hear stories about how this person’s barbeque is better than that person’s because in Texas barbeque is the state food. But nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, speaks louder than “FOOTBALL,” in the great State of Texas and this week’s matchup will definitely have the volume past a ten.

The Houston Texans will take on their in-state rivals in the Dallas Cowboys in primetime in a nationally televised game on NBC. Both teams are coming off of victories on last week, but none was bigger than the victory Houston got to break a nine-game losing streak dating back to November 19, 2017. They defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 in overtime on a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal as time expired.

“I just told them that I was proud of them and the way they fight – to be able to overcome adversity. It didn’t look good there for a while, but the guys hung in there and it was a big stop there at the end by the defense,” said an elated Bill O’ Brien on what he told the team after the victory.

AFC Defensive Player of the Week, DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney had a tremendous game on the defensive side of the ball. The 2017 All-Pro recorded four tackles, four quarterback hits, 2.0 sacks, and he also recovered a fumble for a touchdown. He became the only player in NFL history to record these stats since tackles for loss became an official statistic. But nothing was more important than the win on Sunday to Mr. Clowney.

“Just go out there and take it one step at a time, one play at a time and play the best that I can. For the team, this is the first step in the right direction and try to build off this and win,” he said as he took questions from reporters.

For the Texans, Sunday night’s game will be one they must be prepared for as the Cowboys come into NRG having added a new wrinkle to their offense. On last week, Dallas threw something new at opponents by having their All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott line up at the wide receiver spot where he caught a beautiful over the shoulder pass from Dak Prescott to set up the winning field goal for the Cowboys. That one play alone caught the attention of the Texans defensive unit as a whole. Veteran defensive back Jonathan Joseph knows that “Zeke” will be a handful on gameday.

“It’s going to take a team effort to bring him down. That’s the way football is now. You have a lot of exciting backs in this league and he is one of them.”

Dallas currently leads the series 3-1, with the last win coming in overtime back in 2014, but that means nothing to this current set of Texans players who are eager to continue the winning streak they started last week. Nothing would be more exciting for the city of Houston than to regain bragging rights in the state of Texas. Fans would leave the stadium telling Cowboys fans one of the oldies, but goodie statements that is still said in certain places.

“Y’all come back now, you hear.”