Playoff-Bound? Houston Texans Win 3rd Straight, 21-16, Over Arizona Cardinals
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are now winners of three straight and suddenly have the look of a playoff team following their Sunday NFL Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals by a 21-16 score here at NRG Stadium.
How did the turnaround Texans arrive at 6-4 on the year? Follow along with our chronological coverage!
C.J. Stroud
USA Today Sports
The Week 11 contest will mark Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray's second game of the season following his ACL injury. Murray helped the Cardinals win their second game of the season in a 25-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the game throwing for 249 yards while completing 59.4 percent of his passes.
"The difference in Kyler [Murray] is just his speed," Ryans said. "He has to be the fastest quarterback in the NFL. The speed is real, and when he’s healthy, it’s a problem. He has the ability – most guys they step up in the pocket – but he has that ability to retreat back in the pocket and still circle the defense. You talk about elusiveness, you talk about the speed – just a dynamic athlete."
A win against the Cardinals will put the Texans in a better position to make their first postseason appearance since 2019.
WHAT: Arizona Cardinals (2-8, 0-5 Road) at Houston Texans (5-4, 3-1 Home)
WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX (71,995)
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, 12 p.m. CT
TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) | 100.3 The Bull
Get your tickets at SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Texans -5.5
TOTAL: 47.5
MONEYLINE: Cardinals +200, Texans -250
Live game updates will appear here after kickoff.
1st Quarter:
The Cardinals received the ball first and scored on the opening drive. Murray connected with wide receiver Rondale Moore for a 48-yard touchdown.
Cardinals 7, Texans 0
The Texans recorded 60 yards in a dozen plays. On 4th-and-2, running back Mike Boone was short on receiving the first down.
Punt
Three-and-out for the Cardinals.
Punt
The Texans' second drive of the game began with back-to-back completions for Stroud. His first completion resulted in a 20-yard gain for Tank Dell. Stroud's second was the result of a 17-yard completion to Robert Woods. The series ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to tight end Dalton Schultz.
Cardinals 7, Texans 7
The Texans began their third defensive drive struggling to stop the run. James Conner began the series rushing for 25 yards in two snaps. Murray added 23 yards on his respective run, but a holding penalty took away 10 additional yards. The drive ended with defensive end Will Anderson Jr. recording his third career sack. A field goal is good for the Cardinals.
Cardinals 10, Texans 7
End of 1st
2nd Quarter
The Texans recorded 75 yards in 12 plays. The drive ended with Singletary rushing for an 11-yard touchdown.
Texans 14, Cardinals 10
On the first play of the Cardinals' latest drive, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. recorded his first interception of the season.
Turnover
The Texans had another efficient drive. They recorded 63 yards in 10 plays. Houston was able to get deep into Arizona's territory. But safety Jalen Thompson picked off Stroud's pass attempt to Collins.
Turnover
The Cardinals failed to capitalize on Stroud's interception. Three-and-out for Arizona.
Punt
The Texans closed the first half with their third touchdown of the day. Houston recorded 74 yards in seven plays. The series ended with Stroud finding Dell for a 40-yard touchdown.
Texans 21, Cardinals 10
Halftime
3rd Quarter
The Texans recorded 45 yards in 11 plays to open the third quarter. At the start of the drive, it appeared that Houston would be able to add another touchdown. But a sack made by safety Jalen Thompson left Stroud a little shaken up. Davis Mills came in for one play, but Stroud later returned to the game. The drive ended with the Texans missing a 48-yard field goal.
The field goal is no good
The Cardinals put together their second-most successful drive of the game. They recorded 53 yards in 13 plays, which ended with Murray rushing for a one-yard touchdown.
Texans 21, Cardinals 16
Three-and-out for the Texans.
End of 3rd
4th Quarter
The Cardinals recorded 47 yards in eight plays during their latest drive. They failed to convert on fourth down.
Turnover on down
It was a near three-and-out for the Texans, but the Cardinals muffed the punt. Unfortunately, Houston could not capitalize on the Cardinals' mishap. Stroud threw his second interception of the day.
Turnover
The Cardinals 16 yards in five plays. Punt
Punt
The Texans' latest offensive drive ended with Stroud throwing his third interception of the game.
Turnover
The Cardinals recorded 59 yards in 10 plays during their last drive but failed to convert on fourth-and-8.
Turnover on down
End of Game
Texans 21, Cardinals 16
