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Texans Escape Cardinals Comeback Attempt

The Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans are locked into a tight battle.
Donnie Druin|
Texans Escape Cardinals Comeback Attempt
Texans Escape Cardinals Comeback Attempt

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Arizona Cardinals

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans were locked into a battle all afternoon long, though it was Houston who emerged victorious in 21-16 fashion at NRG Stadium.

Quick recap of the action out at NRG Stadium:

First Quarter

Kyler Murray and co. wasted no time on the first possession of the game, as Rondale Moore reeled in a 49-yard touchdown pass from Murray to go ahead 7-0. 

Cardinals 7, Texans 0

C.J. Stroud marched Houston down to the red zone but the Texans came up empty-handed after a failed fourth-and-short attempt. 

However, the Cardinals failed to do anything with their newfound opportunity, going three-and-out before punting the ball right back to Houston. 

On their new opportunity, the Texans made sure to find the end zone on a quick five-play, 61-yard drive that saw tight end Dalton Schultz score. 

Cardinals 7, Texans 7

A monster run from Kyler Murray was called back, as a holding call wiped away a 35-yard gain but did push the Cardinals in Houston territory near the end of the first quarter. 

A miscommunication on a screen pass saw Murray fumble the ball after James Conner ran into him, which pushed the Cardinals deeper into field goal range after he was sacked by Will Anderson on the ensuing play. 

Matt Prater's 57-yard field goal was good. 

Cardinals 10, Texans 7

The Texans retain possession as the first quarter comes to a close. 

Second Quarter

Houston would eventually put themselves back into the lead with Devin Singletary touchdown.

Texans 14, Cardinals 10

The very next play, Houston would force a turnover after Murray's under-thrown deep shot to Marquise Brown was picked off. 

With Houston marching deep into Cardinals territory once again, Arizona safety Jalen Thompson baited Stroud into throwing into double coverage, resulting in an interception to prevent the Texans from piling on to their lead. 

Despite picking up a first down and looking to build momentum, Murray was sacked for the second time on the afternoon to force a Cardinals punt. 

With just 26 seconds left, Stroud found Tank Dell deep downfield for a monster 41-yard touchdown to extend their lead. 

Texans 21, Cardinals 10

Houston will receive the ball to begin the second half. 

Third Quarter

The opening drive offered a briefly scary moment for Texans fans after Stroud went out of the game after taking a huge hit from Jalen Thompson, though he returned the very next play. 

Houston kicker Kai'imi Fairbairn missed a 40+ yard field goal, handing Arizona good field position for their first possession of the second half. 

A facemask penalty on Anderson Jr. pushed Arizona to the HOU 9 

The Texans held firm and forced a fourth-and-goal from Arizona from the two-yard line, though Murray would find the end zone to draw within one score. 

Their two-point try was no good.

Texans 21, Cardinals 16

The Texans would see their first three-and-out on their next possession. Arizona has the chains locked and loaded for a first down as the fourth quarter arrives. 

Fourth Quarter

The Cardinals found themselves again in fourth-down territory at the HOU 23, though Houston's defense came up big on Arizona's choice to bypass a field goal and stopped a Greg Dortch catch short of the sticks. 

The Cardinals forced a three-and-out to regain possession. 

With the Texans threatening to score again, the Cardinals came up big to pick Stroud off for a second time. 

Facing another fourth down, the Cardinals would again be unsuccessful after Murray missed a wide open Trey McBride to keep the chains moving. 

On the next possession, however, Stroud would throw his third interception of the day, this time to Antonio Hamilton after being pressured. 

Going down to the wire on a 4th-and-8, the Texans came up big on a fourth down stop to seal the game. 

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!

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