It’s an exciting evening in the NFL as the Dallas Cowboys face off against the Houston Texans in an all-Texas showdown on Monday Night Football. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. With the Cowboys struggling to find their rhythm, they are eager for a get-right game against rookie sensation C.J. Stroud and his Texans, who come in as seven-point road favorites.
Setting the Scene for an Epic Showdown
This night game means CeeDee Lamb and the rest of the Cowboys won’t have to worry about glare from the sun, but there’s plenty of spotlight on this matchup. Even with the Cowboys’ recent struggles, the star power is undeniable. Both teams have players who can change the game in an instant, making it a thrilling prospect for fans and fantasy players alike.
If you’re crafting your fantasy lineup for this Lone Star battle, you’re in the right place. The Sporting News is here to provide you with all the advice, strategies, and insights you need to make informed decisions.
Optimal DraftKings lineup for Cowboys vs. Texans
Before diving into our lineup, let’s cover the key scoring settings for DraftKings Showdown contests. They are full-point PPR, featuring three-point bonuses for 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 100 receiving yards. The Captain pick costs 1.5 times a player’s original price but also has his point total multiplied by 1.5.
Here’s our optimal DraftKings lineup:
| POS. | PLAYER | TEAM/OPP. | SALARY |
| Captain | Joe Mixon, RB | Texans @ DAL | $16,500 |
| FLEX | CeeDee Lamb, WR | Cowboys vs. HOU | $10,800 |
| FLEX | Nico Collins, WR | Texans @ DAL | $10,400 |
| FLEX | Ka’imi Fairbairn, K | Texans @ DAL | $5,400 |
| FLEX | Brandon Aubrey, K | Cowboys vs. HOU | $5,200 |
| FLEX | Kavontae Turpin, WR | Cowboys vs. HOU | $1,200 |
Captain: Joe Mixon, RB, Texans ($16,500)
Mixon has been a revelation in his first season with the Texans, averaging just under 24 DK points per game. He has scored between 26-30 points four times, dipping below 17 only once. Facing the Cowboys, who are the fourth-most generous defense to opposing running backs, Mixon is primed for a big night. He’s ready to feast!
FLEX 1: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys ($10,800)
Lamb is a reliable source of fantasy points, regardless of who is under center for the Cowboys. Despite a season-low 8.4 DK points last week against a tough Eagles defense, Lamb is set to bounce back. With Houston ranking just 22nd against wideouts, he’s a must-start.
FLEX 2: Nico Collins, WR, Texans ($10,400)
Nico is back and better than ever! He was the NFL leader in receiving yards before his injury last month and still has more yards than superstars like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in half the games played. This primetime matchup is his chance to shine against a struggling Cowboys defense.
FLEX 3: Ka’imi Fairbairn, K, Texans ($5,400)
FLEX 4: Brandon Aubrey, K, Cowboys ($5,200)
While it may seem unconventional to roster two kickers, this strategy focuses on solid floor players rather than risky high-reward options. Both Fairbairn and Aubrey average around 11.7 and 11.6 PPG, respectively, making them reliable choices. If you prefer other players in the same price range, consider Dalton Schultz (TE, Texans) or Jalen Tolbert (WR, Cowboys).
FLEX 5: KeVontae Turpin, WR, Cowboys ($1,200)
Turpin is our only dart throw in this lineup. With Cooper Rush at quarterback, expect him to lean on Turpin and Tolbert, who he has practiced with. Turpin has shown flashes of potential this season, and if Lamb is banged up, he could have a breakout performance.
FanDuel lineup for Cowboys vs. Texans
Now let’s shift gears to FanDuel single-game tournaments. The scoring settings here are half-point PPR with three-point bonuses for 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, or 100 receiving yards. The MVP pick multiplies that player’s total by 1.5 without costing 1.5 times their listed salary.
Here’s our optimal FanDuel lineup:
| POS. | PLAYER | TEAM/OPP. | SALARY |
| MVP | Joe Mixon, RB | Texans @ DAL | $16,500 |
| FLEX | Nico Collins, WR | Texans @ DAL | $15,000 |
| FLEX | C.J. Stroud, QB | Texans @ DAL | $13,000 |
| FLEX | Jalen Tolbert, WR | Cowboys vs. HOU | $9,500 |
| FLEX | Dare Ogunbowale, RB | Texans @ DAL | $6,000 |
Mixon is again our MVP, as he’s simply too good to pass up. The Cowboys have struggled against the run, and Mixon should see plenty of touches. We love the stack of C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins, and Tolbert could thrive if Rush has to throw often. Ogunbowale might also snag some red-zone opportunities if the Texans build a lead.
SuperDraft lineup for Cowboys vs. Texans
For those unfamiliar with SuperDraft, their DFS scoring involves point multipliers instead of traditional salary-capped contests. A winning lineup will typically feature a mix of star players with 1x-1.6x boosts and matchup-based sleepers with larger multipliers.
Here’s our optimal SuperDraft lineup:
| POS. | PLAYER | GAME | BOOST |
| CHAMP | Joe Mixon, RB | Texans @ DAL | 1.5x |
| SFLEX | Nico Collins, WR | Texans @ DAL | 1.1x |
| SFLEX | C.J. Stroud, QB | Texans @ DAL | 1.15x |
| SFLEX | Jalen Tolbert, WR | Cowboys vs. HOU | 1.65x |
| SFLEX | John Metchie, WR | Texans @ DAL | 1.7x |
Our SuperDraft lineup mirrors our favorite elements from the DraftKings and FanDuel lineups, but we couldn’t resist adding Metchie at a 1.7x boost. After a breakout performance against the Lions, he’s poised for more targets as defenses focus on Collins and Dell.
With these lineups in hand, you’re well-equipped to tackle this thrilling Monday Night Football showdown. Whether you’re playing for fun or aiming for that big win, may your fantasy roster shine brightly under the Texas lights!
