Texans Wire editor Cole Thompson gives Cardinals fans some ‘enemy’ insight to the Week 15 matchup.

The Arizona Cardinals are set to take on the Houston Texans. Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston is at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. The Cardinals are 3-10 and have lost five games in a row. The Texans are 8-5 and riding a five-game winning streak.

They have the league’s No. 1 defense in terms of points and yards, and they have two players — Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson — with over 10 sacks.

The Cardinals have not faced the Texans since 2023.

To get ready for this game and to gain some insight, I asked Texans Wire managing editor Cole Thompson a few questions. He takes Cardinals fans behind enemy lines before the Week 15 showdown.

Houston’s defense

The Texans’ defense has been incredible. What is it about the defense that has made it so great? What do they do well? Do they have any weak spots?

For starters, they have depth. Houston has been without two defensive tackles all season and a pair of practice squad players haven’t missed a beat in starting roles. The same things goes for safety, where Myles Bryant didn’t even make the active squad after training camp, yet has become the fourth player to start opposite Calen Bullock.

I think the second major sign of growth is the consistency. DeMeco Ryans is a defensive coach, so he demands excellence on every snap. Intensity is a requirement, as is attention to detail. They’re so well put together across the field, it’s hard ever seeing someone out of place.

C.J. Stroud’s development

Where is C.J. Stroud in his development since his magical rookie season?

I think there are three parts to Stroud’s growth and limitations. For starters, he’s working with four new weapons and doesn’t have a sufficient run game to bail him out of trouble as he did with Joe Mixon last season. Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are promising rookies, but building a rapport takes time. It doesn’t help that Stroud missed three and a half games due to a concussion when he was just getting into a rhythm.

The second thing is the new offensive identity under Nick Caley. Most of the second quarter, it feels like Caley second-guesses his decision-making, thus leading to regression in the play concept. But Stroud has tried to maximize his athleticism by trusting his legs to maneuver outside the pocket while waiting for receivers to get open.

Sometimes, he’s right on the money with his passes. Other times, a should-be touchdown turns into a gain of 60 because of the ball’s hang time.

Surprises and disappointments

Who are the surprises and disappointments of 2025?

Surprise? Kamari Lassiter has arguably been the Texans’ top cornerback over All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. This isn’t to say Stingley has regressed, but rather Lassiter has blossomed into one of the league’s most physical defensive backs. He’s attentive against the run, not afraid to tackle and will fight with receivers through contact, trying to jar the ball loose. It’s hard to say Houston doesn’t have the best duo on the outside in the league.

Christian Kirk has been underwhelming since the trade. Yes, he’s missed three games due to injury, but it feels as if he’s the No. 4 or No.5 option in the passing game. Through nine games, Kirk only has 22 catches for 204 yards and a touchdown. Noel, who is averaging 10.3 yards per catch, has the same amount of receptions and more yards despite playing nearly 80 fewer snaps.

Fantasy advice

Who is a fantasy must-start? Any sleeper for Houston?

I’d say the Texans defense if you have it. This is going to be a matchup where if pressure can close the gap, Jacoby Brissett could throw multiple picks, thus leading to potentially a defensive touchdown.

Offensively, I’d lean Dalton Schultz. Over the last five games, Schultz has averaged at least five catches for 48 yards. This feels like one of those matchups where he might have just three or four receptions, but one ends up being a touchdown and the other picks up 30-plus yards.

Best bet?

Do you have a favorite bet for this game?

Under 42.5 (-110). Houston this season has only hit the over three times, and once was because the defense allowed Seattle to score 27 points. The other was against a Baltimore Ravens roster that was missing seven defensive starters.

Until there’s more consistency, taking the under always feels smart. Houston won’t score 43 points, but its defense isn’t allowing 20.

Prediction

Who wins the game? How?

It’s hard to trust the Cardinals coming in to pull off the upset. Even if this game ends up being sloppy from Houston’s side, the defense remains its ace in the hole. I expect the Texans to loop sloppy in the first, finish the second quarter with a pair of scores, enter the third quarter with no life but close out the afternoon with a late touchdown. The Texans secure their third straight winning season under Ryans.

Texans 24, Cardinals 10

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