The Cowboys believe they have a trio of cornerbacks, who can cover any receivers, anywhere on any given Sunday. But if Terence Newman, Anthony Henry and Aaron Glenn couldn't keep track of Philadelphia's Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis last week, wait until they see what the Houston Texans trot out Sunday.
The Texans haven't done much right in a 1-3 season, but passing is at the top of the list. David Carr is the No. 1-rated passer, and Andre Johnson is an elite receiver.
The Texans traded for veteran Pro Bowler Eric Moulds in the off-season to deflect attention from Johnson, and all three parties have benefited. With a second option, Carr is not forcing the ball into coverage to Johnson as much, so his interceptions are down. He has thrown two in 111 passes.
Moulds caught a touchdown pass in his Houston debut to show that double coverage of Johnson would not be tolerated. Moulds has caught 18 passes this season for 230 yards.
Johnson has 30 catches for 410 yards – a pace that would produce a 120-catch, 1,640-yard season. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2004, when he caught a career-best 79 passes for 1,142 yards.
He has three 100-yard games – one more than in all of 2005. He lit up the Redskins for 11 catches and 152 yards and has TDs against the Colts and Miami.
So Houston's hope of an upset rests in the hands of Carr, Johnson and Moulds. The Dallas cover men need to bounce back from the Philadelphia debacle when Baskett, Brown and Lewis combined for nine catches, 223 yards and two TDs. The Cowboys rank 20th in the NFL in pass defense. Drew Bledsoe isn't the only one who needs to step up his play.
E-mail rgosselin@dallasnews.com
