The Houston Texans continued their late-season surge with a dominant first-half performance against the visiting Arizona Cardinals in Week 15, but the story of the game was written in the training room long before kickoff. Both teams entered the contest with significant injury concerns, particularly at the running back position, setting the stage for a lopsided affair. The Texans, riding high after a statement win in Kansas City, were without veteran Nick Chubb, who was ruled out with a rib injury. This thrust Woody Marks into the lead role, and the second-year back delivered, capping a wild opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run out of the wildcat formation. The Texans’ offense, led by C.J. Stroud, struck quickly with a 57-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, helping build a commanding 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
For the Cardinals, the injury woes were even more severe and proved catastrophic during the game. Already missing key defensive backs Max Melton, Jalen Thompson, and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Arizona’s depleted secondary was tasked with containing Stroud and his speedy receivers. The unit, which had been lit up by the Rams the previous week, was hoping for a bounce-back performance but instead found itself on its heels early. The Cardinals’ offensive struggles were compounded by a devastating Cardinals injury to running back Bam Knight. On his first and only carry of the game, Knight was tackled for a loss and suffered a left ankle injury so severe he had to be carted to the X-ray room, unable to put any weight on the leg. His departure left an already thin backfield in further disarray.
The Texans’ defense, arguably the best unit in the NFL this season, feasted on the Cardinals’ misfortune. They held Arizona to negative total yards early and set the tone with physical play. With Knight out, the Cardinals’ offensive game plan, which had already become heavily pass-reliant due to earlier injuries to James Conner and Trey Benson, was thrown further off balance. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has spoken about the need for balance, but facing a massive deficit with a hobbled running game, Arizona had little choice but to abandon the run entirely, playing directly into the hands of DeMeco Ryans’ aggressive defense.
While the focus was on the backfields, the matchup also featured a compelling subplot in the Cardinals’ young secondary facing off against a former college rival. Rookie cornerbacks Will Johnson and Denzel Burke, who practiced against C.J. Stroud during their college days at Michigan and Ohio State respectively, were tested early and often. Johnson expressed confidence before the game, stating he hoped Stroud would look his way, but the Texans’ quarterback efficiently dissected the patchwork Arizona defense. The Cardinals’ defensive philosophy under coordinator Nick Rallis, which utilizes dime packages at the third-highest rate in the league, relies on communication and versatility from the defensive backs—a tall order with so many starters sidelined.
By halftime, the Texans led 23-7, firmly in control and showcasing why they are considered one of the hottest teams in football. The victory solidifies their playoff positioning and demonstrates their ability to handle business as heavy favorites, avoiding a potential trap game. For the Cardinals, the loss is another brutal chapter in a season defined by attrition. The mounting Cardinals injury list, now featuring Bam Knight alongside numerous defensive starters, has made competitiveness a week-to-week challenge. As Houston looks ahead to a postseason run, Arizona is left to evaluate its depth and hope for healthier days, while the search for answers on both sides of the ball continues.