Four takeaways from the Cowboys 20-14 loss in their preseason game with the Texans

The Dallas Cowboys completed their dress rehearsal with the Houston Texans and now will move on to a fourth game that will strictly be about the backups and fringe players. But in this game, we got a look at many of the Cowboys starters on offense and defense, so it was easier to evaluate certain things. Still, it was a preseason game so some of the backups were involved in the process.

Let’s check in on four takeaways from the game.

Micah Parsons will be a star

It’s not like Parsons had a huge game statistically, only racking up two tackles for the game. But he is just everywhere on the field. The Cowboys really like lining him up in the A-gap and letting him either rush or drop back into coverage. When he rushes he is a force, and his speed allows him to pursue the quarterback even if he is initially blocked. Once he gets used to the NFL game and the reads become second nature, his speed on the field will take over and he will cause problems for opposing offenses all game long.

The Cowboys may have gotten lucky when their first couple of choices in the draft were gone. Parsons has the look of star about him.

Garrett Gilbert’s shine is fading

When Garrett Gilbert was inserted into the starting line up last year against the Pittsburgh Steelers and almost pulled off an upset win, there was a thought the Cowboys may have found something. He entered this offseason as the Cowboys #2 QB, even if it wasn’t etched in stone. Through three preseason games, he may have relinquished the position. He hasn’t looked good, and when Cooper Rush was brought in after a few series, he made the Cowboys offense look like it was capable. Rush put two touchdowns on the board and looked to be in control.

Many fans may not think the Cowboys backup QB is on the roster at the moment, and that may be true, they may be waiting on cutdown day. If they aren’t, then Rush just may be the guy and not Gilbert.

We discussed all of Saturday night’s action including our takeaways during our Dallas Cowboys Postgame Show on the Blogging The Boys podcast network. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of our episodes! Apple devices can subscribe here and Spotify users can subscribe here.

The Cowboys special teams still a work in progress

The special teams has been an unsettled unit this offseason. Greg Zuerlein has been out, Bryan Anger wasn’t punting for a while, and Hunter Niswander was let go after an injury. This seems to have translated over to teams in general as they looked ragged in the Texans game. Multiple penalties, a 29-yard kick return allowed, a 24-yard punt return allowed, it wasn’t the best look.

John Fassel will likely get it cleaned up, but it still has a little bit of a concern.

The Cowboys defense is showing signs of hope

The Cowboys aren’t winning their preseason games, but their defense has looked pretty good. Against the Texans, admittedly a bad football team, they looked very good. They only gave up one play over 20 yards, and the Texans were a remarkable 0-for-10 on third downs. On the whole they only gave up 220 yards total, and much of that came later in the game. The one thing missing against the Texans were turnovers, but through he first three preseason games there is definitely hope that this defense has improved.