Texans dominate Cardinals with explosive start, extend winning streak to six
Stroud throws for 260 yards and three touchdowns as Houston builds early lead and rolls to 40-20 win
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Houston Texans jumped out to a frenetic start and never looked back, rolling to a 40-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday to extend their winning streak to six games and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Houston wasted little time, connecting on a 57-yard touchdown strike from quarterback C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins on the game’s second play. After the ensuing kickoff, Arizona fumbled, and the Texans followed with a 30-yard field goal to take a 10-0 lead. The onslaught continued as Houston tacked on a 1-yard scoring run by Woody Marks later in the first quarter, coming after Stroud fumbled a snap. The 17-point first quarter tied a Texans franchise record for the most points in the opening period, matching a 2011 performance against the Colts, and made Houston the first NFL team this season to lead by at least 17 points within the first nine minutes of a game. The club later added 40 points, the second-most they have scored in a game this season.
Stroud, back from a concussion, finished 22 of 29 for 260 yards with three touchdowns and a passer rating of 137.1 in his third game back. It was the first time in his career he posted at least 250 yards passing, three TDs and a 75 percent completion rate in the same game, and it represented what coach DeMeco Ryans called a clear step forward. “He’s making the right decisions and that’s where he’s grown and he’s improved a lot,” Ryans said. “Since he’s come back, each week he’s gotten better. So, this (was) probably the best game he’s had this year.”
Houston also leaned on its ground game, amassing 143 rushing yards — their third-best total of the season — as the offense continued to show balance. “You have to be able to run the football really well, no matter who you’re playing against, no matter where you’re playing,” Ryans added. “So, to see it show up (Sunday), hopefully the guys understand that’s the formula. We just have to stick with it.”
Houston’s defense remained stingy, ranking first in the NFL in both yards allowed (269.2 per game) and points allowed (16.3 per game). Sunday marked the 12th time this season the Texans held an opponent to 20 points or fewer, the most in the league. Kamari Lassiter added a critical in-the-end-zone interception, keeping Houston on pace for a turnover-free game as the Texans arrived at their eighth game this season without a turnover. The defense has forced 24 takeaways this season, a figure that ranks among the league’s best.
The Texans’ offense also benefited from a strong rushing performance, with 143 yards on the ground. Stroud and the passing game provided big plays, but Houston’s ability to sustain drives and finish in the red zone helped widen the margin. Still, red-zone efficiency remains a concern, as Houston scored touchdowns on only three of six trips inside the 20, leaving the team 30th in the NFL in red-zone touchdown percentage at 44.9% this season.
In the ball carrier role, Jawher Jordan — elevated from the practice squad for the first time this season — had a breakout NFL debut. He carried 15 times for 101 yards and added 17 receiving yards, marking the first 100-yard rushing game by a Texan this season and setting a team record for most scrimmage yards in an NFL debut. Jordan’s performance came while Nick Chubb was inactive for Cleveland due to a rib injury, a note from the game’s surrounding coverage that underscores how Texans players stepped up in multiple roles. Christian Kirk, Houston’s top receiver in his first season with the team after a Jacksonville trade, was held without a catch in this game.
Defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. left with a ruptured pectoral muscle and will miss the remainder of the season. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. exited with an oblique injury but is expected to be available for Houston’s next contest. Marks, dealing with an ankle issue, played through limited snaps but remained a factor in the backfield and helped facilitate the early momentum.
Looking ahead, the Texans will try to extend their streak in another home game against Las Vegas, a Raiders club that has dropped eight straight after a strong start to the season. Houston’s current trajectory marks the franchise’s longest winning streak since 2018, when it rattled off nine consecutive victories.
The victory further solidifies Houston’s standing in the AFC playoff chase. The Texans sit one game behind the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) but remain firmly in the wild-card mix as they improve to 9-5. Stroud’s maturation, the defense’s consistency, and the emergent running game have become the backbone of a team that is peering toward a postseason berth after a challenging start to the year.