Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals: Everything we know about the 31-5 beatdown
Final score: Cardinals 31, Texans 5
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The Cardinals were slow to start, trailing by two after the first quarter, but Arizona fired up to blowout the Houston Texans 31-5 Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium.
Quarterback Kyler Murray completed 20 passes on 28 attempts for 261 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
In an anticipated homecoming of sorts for defensive end J.J. Watt and receiver DeAndre Hopkins, neither were particularly impactful in the stat sheet. Watt had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit, while Hopkins had seven catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Here is everything we know about Week 7.
Keys to the game
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The Texans defense generated four sacks of Murray and safety Lonnie Johnson managed to get an interception. The defense was key to producing a 2-0 lead thanks to a safety near the end of the first quarter. However, Houston’s offense never got going and had just three points to show due to Ka’imi Fairbairn nailing a 53-yard field goal.
The run game eventually pounded the Texans’ defense with James Conner tallying 10 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown. Chase Edmonds had 15 carries for 81 yards.
Texans rookie quarterback Davis Mills was ineffective going 23-of-32 for 135 yards.
It was over when...
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
With 9:05 to go in the second quarter, Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz ran an end and fumbled at the 1-yard line with Houston recovering. However, the booth overturned the fumble as Ertz’s knee was down. On the ensuing third-and-goal, the Cardinals took the lead with Murray connecting with Hopkins on a 1-yard touchdown. Arizona led 7-5, but Houston’s luck had run out, and the Cardinals offense was activated.
Players of the game
(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Murray: 20/28, 261 yards, 3 TDs, INT
Edmonds: 15 carries, 81 yards
A.J. Green: 3 catches, 66 yards
Ertz: 3 catches 66 yards, TD
Hopkins: 7 catches, 53 yards, TD
Injury report
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
There were no injuries to report for either team. Murray had a scare early in the first quarter after the safety, but was well enough to return to the game.
What's next?
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Texans fall to 1-6 and go home to NRG Stadium to host the 6-1 Los Angeles Rams.
Arizona extends their winning streak to 7-0 to start the year, and have a pivotal Thursday nighter against the 6-1 Green Bay Packers.
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