In a game that set the tone for the rest of the season, the Houston Texans turned a rocky start into a six-game winning streak, now sitting at 9-5 and a game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South. The victory over the Arizona Cardinals-40-20-was highlighted by quarterback C.J. Stroud’s 260-yard, three-touchdown performance and a 57-yard strike to Nico Collins on the very first play.
Texans’ Surge and Playoff Implications
The streak is the longest the franchise has had since a nine-game run in 2018. After an 0-3 opening, the Texans have climbed into the thick of the AFC playoff race with only three regular-season games remaining. Stroud said, “We started off a little rough of course but you want to be playing your best ball in December going into January. Since we’re doing that it’s really good… every week we just keep progressing and I think that’s all we can do right now.” Coach DeMeco Ryans, who stresses a one-game-at-a-time mentality, added, “If you go out and handle business each week you’re just putting yourself in a better spot. Not really focused on what everyone else in the AFC is doing. Focus on the Texans. Focus on stepping your game up and playing better.”
Game Recap: Key Plays and Statistics
Houston opened the scoring with a 57-yard touchdown pass to Collins on the second play of the game. Collins escaped two defenders near the 40-yard line and sprinted untouched into the end zone. The Cardinals’ kickoff return was fumbled, giving the Texans the ball, but they settled for a 30-yard field goal to make it 10-0. Tight end Trey McBride admitted, “You don’t get your first offensive snap until you’re down 10-0, it’s hard to start the game like that. But I’m proud of the way we fought. I thought we didn’t give up … but we’ve just got to start the game faster. We can’t spot them 10 points like that.”
The Texans added a 1-yard run from Woody Marks for a 17-0 lead after Stroud fumbled a snap later in the first quarter. Arizona’s Michael Wilson caught an 11-yard touchdown near the 11-minute mark, but the 2-point conversion failed, keeping the score at 33-20. Stroud connected with Collins again for a 4-yard touchdown, pushing the margin to 40-20. Collins finished the game with three receptions for 85 yards, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season.
On the other side, Jacoby Brissett threw for 249 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in his ninth start for the injured Kyler Murray. McBride hauled in 12 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, reaching 1,037 receiving yards for his second straight 1,000-yard season and becoming the first tight end in NFL history with at least 100 receptions in consecutive seasons.
Defensive highlights for Houston included Kamari Lassiter’s interception of Brissett’s pass in the end zone on the opening drive of the second half; Lassiter celebrated his fourth career interception with a backflip. Dalton Schultz added a 4-yard touchdown pass, and Kaʻimi Fairbairn kicked a 33-yard field goal to extend the lead to 33-14 early in the fourth.
The Cardinals struggled offensively, posting minus-7 yards of total offense and remaining 17 points behind when they began moving the ball late in the first quarter. Their only offensive burst came on a 13-play, 71-yard drive capped by a 2-yard catch by McBride, cutting the deficit to 17-7 early in the second quarter. Fairbairn’s 55-yard field goal made it 20-17 with about nine minutes left in the second, followed by a 22-yard field goal less than two minutes before the half. A 52-yard attempt was blocked just before the break.
After Woody Marks left with an ankle injury, Jawhar Jordan-promoted from the practice squad-handled the ball on 15 carries for 101 yards in his NFL debut.
Injuries and Player Availability
Arizona’s season was further hampered by injuries. Wide receiver Andre Baccellia was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck injury after a kickoff return and was transported to a hospital for evaluation; he will not return to the game. Running back Bam Knight left in the first quarter with an ankle injury, and linebacker Cody Simon suffered a knee injury in the first quarter.
Houston dealt with Marks’ ankle injury and defensive tackle Mario Edwards’ chest injury in the fourth quarter, but the team remained competitive throughout the game.
Upcoming Games
The Cardinals will host Atlanta on Sunday, while the Texans will host Las Vegas the following week.
Key Takeaways
- Houston’s six-game streak lifts them to 9-5, one game behind the Jaguars in the AFC South.
- C.J. Stroud’s 260-yard, three-touchdown performance helped secure a 40-20 win over the Cardinals.
- Nico Collins’ 57-yard touchdown on the first play and a 4-yard catch for 85 yards contributed to his third straight 1,000-yard season.
- Arizona’s offensive woes continue, with a -7 yard total and a 3-point deficit at the end of the first quarter.
- Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, affecting key positions on offense and defense.
The Texans’ comeback from a rough start and their continued momentum give them a realistic chance to secure a wild-card playoff spot, while the Cardinals face a tough road ahead as they look to regroup and improve their performance in the remaining games.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
At newsofaustin.com, Morgan reports on everything from severe weather alerts and traffic updates to city council decisions, crime reports, and the issues shaping daily life in Austin. Known for reliable fact-checking and a strong commitment to public-interest journalism, Morgan brings readers the information they need to stay informed and engaged.
When not tracking a developing story, Morgan enjoys exploring Austin’s neighborhoods, attending local events, and connecting with residents to share the voices and experiences that define the community.
