Houston Texans (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at AT&T Field, Arlington, Texas – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell

*Keys to the game: Given RB DeMarco Murray’s potential and the fact that he’s playing for a new contract, the biggest surprise in Big D is the Cowboys’ defense. A plus-one turnover margin might seem like small potatoes but with two takeaways per game, Dallas is far ahead of its 2013 pace. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t ideally suited for a shootout, and the Texans will mimic the Cowboys’ blueprint of running to get a lead. If play-action doesn’t draw Dallas in, Fitzpatrick is prone to interceptions (five in 112 passes this season).

Cowboys QB Tony Romo’s turnover total is down and his agility seems to be improving since Week 2. Dallas likes to bunch two-tight end sets to widen the pocket for Romo, and that formation is likely with DE J.J. Watt (two sacks, one FF, one INT) playing the role of world-beater for the Texans’ defense. He’s on pace for 64 quarterback hits in 2014.

Murray’s patience will be tested by combination blitzes from the Texans, and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan can use more swing passes and screens to get him the ball in space. To date, there has been no match for the Cowboys’ offensive line.

*Matchup to watch – Cowboys LB Rolando McClain vs. Texans RBs Arian Foster and Alfred Blue: Buffalo’s front seven dominated the Texans’ offensive line, but RB Arian Foster, limited to six yards on eight carries, tied his career high with seven receptions. Reading keys accurately is a must for McClain and the success of the Dallas defense. McClain is likely to play in the nickel as well with Bruce Carter (quad) out.

*Player spotlight – Cowboys PK Dan Bailey: Bailey had seven touchbacks on kickoffs last week and is becoming one of the most reliable players on the roster. He enters Sunday with a team-record 29 consecutive field goals made.

*Fast facts: Houston has nine takeaways, including a league-best five in the red zone. … Murray, O.J. Simpson, Emmitt Smith, James Wilder, Stephen Davis and Terrell Davis are the only running backs in NFL history to begin the season with four consecutive 100-yard games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

If the Cowboys contain Houston’s scuffling running game, Dallas rolls to 4-1 ahead of a Week 6 visit to the Seattle Seahawks.

*Our pick: Cowboys 27-20