Arizona Cardinals face off against Texans amid contrasting fortunes
The Arizona Cardinals are set to clash with the Houston Texans in what could be described as a tale of two vastly different seasons. On one hand, the Cardinals are mired in a five-game losing streak, having dropped 10 of their last 11 contests. With their playoff hopes extinguished, the focus has shifted to securing a top-five draft pick for the 2026 NFL Draft.
In stark contrast, the Texans have rebounded impressively from an 0–3 start, going 8–2 over their last 10 games. Their recent victories include statement wins against formidable opponents such as the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs. This impressive résumé underscores the strength of a Texans roster that is firing on all cylinders.
Expectations for the matchup
As the teams prepare for their showdown, the expectation is clear: the Cardinals are likely heading for another tough outing. In the words of Clubber Lang, “Prediction? Pain.” On paper, this matchup looks lopsided, with a Texans team riding high facing a Cardinals squad that seems to be struggling to stay afloat. Nonetheless, there’s still room for excitement, particularly with the potential for individual milestones to unfold.
Trey McBride on the verge of history
One of the bright spots for the Cardinals this season has been tight end Trey McBride, who is on the cusp of achieving a remarkable milestone. McBride is just 63 receiving yards shy of notching his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and is two touchdowns away from his first double-digit scoring season. Averaging 71.1 receiving yards per game, he has only found the end zone once in the last three matchups. However, optimism surrounds his performance against the Texans, as he is poised to break through both barriers in this game.
While Houston boasts a strong defense that has contained many top-tier players this season, they have yet to face a talent like McBride within a passing game that is unafraid to target him frequently. With nearly 10 targets per game, McBride is set up for a significant day against a Texans defense that, while formidable, will need to contend with his unique skill set and the volume of passes thrown his way.
A battle of the trenches
This game is also shaping up to be a showcase of defensive prowess, particularly in terms of quarterback pressure. The Cardinals have endured a tumultuous season with their quarterbacks being sacked 45 times, including Jacoby Brissett, who has faced the brunt of this pressure with 29 sacks in just eight starts. On the flip side, the Texans have seen their quarterbacks taken down 30 times, with C.J. Stroud accounting for 22 of those.
Both teams have struggled with offensive line play, leading to a high volume of sacks. Despite the Cardinals managing only 24 sacks this season, they have been bolstered by the impressive Josh Sweat, who has contributed 11 of those. The Texans, meanwhile, have racked up 36 sacks, with a staggering 21.5 coming from the duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Expect a fierce battle in the trenches, as these players are likely to wreak havoc on the opposing quarterbacks, potentially leading to a flurry of sacks throughout the game.
Passing game takes center stage
Interestingly, neither team has been able to establish a reliable ground game this season. The Cardinals have not had a single running back eclipse the 100-yard mark, a trend echoed by the Texans, who have faced similar struggles due to injuries to key players like James Conner and Joe Mixon.
In contrast, both teams have found success in the air. The Cardinals have seen five instances of receivers surpassing 100 yards, with Michael Wilson hitting that mark three times and Trey McBride doing so twice. The Texans, on the other hand, have relied on Nico Collins, who has delivered three 100-yard receiving games on his own.
Despite both teams dealing with backup quarterbacks at times, their passing games have remained potent. While the Texans possess the league’s third-best passing defense, Brissett has been fearless in airing out the ball. With both teams likely to lean on their aerial attacks, expect a high-flying contest that could yield significant passing yardage, even amidst their struggles on the ground.
