Texans Roll Past Cardinals to Stay on Hot Streak

Houston Texans Dominate in 17-0 Victory Over Arizona Cardinals

In a tale of two contrasting streaks, the Houston Texans (9-5) continued their remarkable five-game winning streak with a commanding 17-0 victory over the struggling Arizona Cardinals (4-10) during Week 15 action at NRG Stadium. The Texans' relentless defense and opportunistic offense proved too much for a Cardinals team mired in a franchise-worst five-game losing skid.

The game began with immediate Houston momentum. On the opening kickoff return, Jaylin Noel gave the Texans excellent field position at their own 41-yard line. Just two plays later, star quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for a stunning 57-yard touchdown pass, putting the Texans on the board early.

The Texans wasted no time getting on the board. Jaylin Noel took the opening kickoff to the 41-yard line and, on the second play from scrimmage, C.J. Stroud connected with Nico Collins for a 57-yard touchdown pass.

Adding to Arizona's woes, the ensuing kickoff resulted in disaster. Jalen Brooks fumbled the ball, and Texans safety Dare Ogunbowale recovered it at the Arizona 22-yard line. While the offense couldn't punch it in, Kaimi Fairbairn booted a 30-yard field goal, extending the lead to 10-0 before the first quarter ended. The Texans' defense, statistically the best in the league, continued to stifle any Cardinal hopes.

The Cardinals did show some offensive spark, primarily through star tight end Trey McBride. McBride set an NFL record for tight ends, catching passes in his 16th consecutive game with at least five receptions. His fifth catch of the game, a two-yard touchdown reception from Kyler Murray with 13:41 left in the second quarter, finally put points on the board for Arizona, making it 17-7.

McBride set an NFL record for tight ends, reaching 16 straight games with at least five receptions... the fifth was a two-yard touchdown, getting the Cardinals on the board.

However, the Cardinals' rally was short-lived. Facing a 17-0 deficit, Arizona's defense couldn't stop the Texans' ground game. Running back Woody Marks capped off a short drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge, pushing the lead back to 17 points. Injuries also hampered both teams, with Cardinals running back Bam Knight (ankle) and linebacker Cody Simon exiting the game, while Texans safety Jimmie Ward also left temporarily.

The Texans' victory wasn't just about stopping the Cardinals; it solidified their position as the AFC South leaders for the third consecutive year. Their defense, allowing the fewest yards and points per game in the NFL, was the clear difference-maker, holding Arizona to just 17 points and generating crucial turnovers. Offensively, Stroud spread the ball effectively, and while the Cardinals' defense performed better than their season average, it couldn't overcome the early deficit or contain Houston's opportunistic plays.

For the Cardinals, the loss extends their miserable streak and raises serious questions about their direction moving forward. Despite McBride's historic performance and a brief offensive surge, the team couldn't overcome self-inflicted mistakes and a dominant defensive performance from their opponent. As the season winds down, the focus for Arizona will likely shift to the draft and evaluating talent for a much-needed rebuild.

What's Next?

The Texans (9-5) will look to keep their winning streak alive and secure the AFC South division title when they face the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. For the Cardinals (4-10), the focus shifts to evaluating their young roster, particularly the development of Kyler Murray and the future of the coaching staff, as they host the Denver Broncos.