Led by the red-hot C.J. Stroud, the Texans are trending upward. Now they have a chance to finally overtake the Cowboys in the eyes of fans across Texas, writes Jerome Solomon.
When the Texans came into the NFL, Sports Illustrated described what was supposed to be a great NFL rivalry as the “War for Texas.”
Well, the war has never really materialized.
There have been a few skirmishes at best. In fact, those little fights ruined arguably the best tailgate scene in the NFL when 20,000 people without game tickets showed up to tailgate before the 2010 Texans-Cowboys game at NRG Stadium.
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Can the Texans ever be Texas’ team?
The short answer is yes.
Not as many mamas are letting their babies grow up to be Cowboys fans these days. The Texans just haven’t taken advantage of the open window.
Now might be their time. If the Texans get to a Super Bowl anytime soon, they will own the state.
ALSO SEE: C.J. Stroud is great but he's not Patrick Mahomes. No one is.
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Everyone knows the Cowboys are the world’s most valuable sports franchise.
I assume you missed this story in The Times Of India, but the Cowboys are also considered to be the NFL’s largest global brand.
And, of course, we know Jerry Jones’ franchise is the self-proclaimed America’s Team.
Still, the Kansas City Chiefs Swiftly passed by the Cowboys in popularity this season because, well, the Chiefs win and the Cowboys don’t (and Taylor’s boyfriend wears the red, white, and gold).
Ten years ago, the Chiefs were just 25th in popularity according to a Harris poll (just ahead of the Texans at No. 27), while the Broncos jumped the Cowboys for No. 1. Why? Because the Broncos were winning.
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Sports betting media group Canada Sports Betting analyzed average monthly Google searches to find the most popular players on each NFL roster.
The title of “Most Popular NFL Player in Texas,” usually goes to the Cowboys’ quarterback. But it now belongs to Texans QB C.J. Stroud.
The Texans’ rookie finished ahead of Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott, as well as receiver CeeDee Lamb and popular pass rusher Micah Parsons. (The Cowboys’ threesome did finish ahead of Stroud in jersey sales in the month of December.)
Overall, Stroud is 10th in the NFL in average monthly searches, and that was before he made the rounds at the Super Bowl and then was the perfect gentleman in offering a stranded Amber Rose a ride after the Travis Scott’ celebrity softball game.
He is hot and getting hotter.
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To be the most-talked-about football player in Texas, one year into his career, is impressive. Every NFL player ahead of Stroud on the list has been an MVP and/or played in a Super Bowl.
Any doubt that Stroud can get that done?
The Texans are 5-7 in playoff games in their history. The Cowboys are an embarrassing 4-10 in the postseason since the Texans came into the league in 2002.
While that serves as good fodder for Texans fans to look down on the Cowboys, those numbers mean little in the big picture, as neither team has played in a conference championship game or Super Bowl in that time.
Until the Texans play in meaningful games, they will always be an afterthought around the league. But they could claim Texas first.
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The Texans play the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington this upcoming season.
That will be a bigger game in the battle for the state than the franchise’s inaugural game. There was no chance the Texans could overtake the Cowboys back then.
But now … they have the best and most popular quarterback in the state leading the way.
Solomon: Time is ripe for Texans to overtake Cowboys in the eyes of Texas
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27.02.2024
Led by the red-hot C.J. Stroud, the Texans are trending upward. Now they have a chance to finally overtake the Cowboys in the eyes of fans across Texas, writes Jerome Solomon.
When the Texans came into the NFL, Sports Illustrated described what was supposed to be a great NFL rivalry as the “War for Texas.”
Well, the war has never really materialized.
There have been a few skirmishes at best. In fact, those little fights ruined arguably the best tailgate scene in the NFL when 20,000 people without game tickets showed up to tailgate before the 2010 Texans-Cowboys game at NRG Stadium.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Can the Texans ever be Texas’ team?
The short answer is yes.
Not as many mamas are letting their babies grow up to be Cowboys fans these days. The Texans just haven’t taken advantage of the open window.
Now might be their time. If the Texans get to a Super Bowl anytime soon, they will own the........
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