How different can a team look after six weeks? Just ask the Houston Texans.
C.J. Stroud threw three touchdowns, including a dagger in the fourth quarter to Nico Collins as the Texans secured their sixth straight win in a 40-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
The Texans, who now are a win away from tying their previous two-season total, could clinch a playoff berth before Christmas with a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders next week.
Collins, who finished with 86 yards on three catches, joined Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins as the only receivers in franchise history to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards in three straight seasons. Dalton Schultz also caught a touchdown and finished with eight catches for 76 yards.
“He’s unstoppable. He does a great job,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Any time the ball is in his vicinity I know some type of way he’s coming down with the football. A guy who doesn’t say much, but he’s had an outstanding year again. We’re not even done, and he has eclipsed that 1,000-yard mark again. I’m proud of him for how he shows up, the consistency that he operates with every single week. The joy that he brings and shows up with, the smile and energy, it’s unmatched.”
Arizona’s offense was bottled up for most of the afternoon behind an underwhelming performance from Jacoby Brissett, though Trey McBride proved to be a problem for the defense. The Pro Bowl tight end finished with 12 catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Michael Wilson notched an 11-yard score with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but trailing by 19, Arizona needed to go for two. It failed, leading to another scoring drive for Houston, this time resulting in a touchdown pass to Collins.
Second-year defensive back Kamari Lassiter notched his fourth interception on Brissett’s pass in the end zone to begin the third quarter. Houston would capitalize and score on the ensuing drive.
“Really proud of our guys, proud of our coaches, our team for coming out today, playing true complementary football and handling this game the proper way and finishing how we know how to finish,” Ryans said.
Here’s a look at the Texans‘ team snap count from Sunday’s win at NRG Stadium.
The Texans, who now sit at 8-5 and a half-game back in the AFC South, return home to take on the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday at noon. With a win, the Texans would take the lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars entering Week 16 of the NFL regular season.