Arizona Cardinals Face Tough Challenge Against Texans

The Arizona Cardinals face a daunting challenge as they prepare to meet the Houston Texans, who are currently on a five-game winning streak. The Texans, boasting an 8-5 record, have recently achieved victories over playoff contenders, including a significant win against the Kansas City Chiefs, positioning them as a wild-card team in the AFC.

In contrast, the Cardinals, with a dismal 3-10 record, have been eliminated from postseason contention and are on a five-game losing streak, highlighted by a 45-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where the Rams scored 35 unanswered points.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon faced scrutiny over his team's defensive struggles, with the Cardinals allowing over 40 points in three of their last five games. Linebacker Josh Sweat acknowledged the repeated issues facing the team, while Gannon cited a lack of execution as the primary concern.

The Texans' defense, ranked first in the NFL for scoring defense and total defense, presents a formidable obstacle for the Cardinals, who will be without key players, including offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. due to a sprained MCL.

Despite these challenges, the Cardinals have offensive weapons like quarterback Jacoby Brissett and tight end Trey McBride, who leads all tight ends in receptions and yardage. Brissett has passed for 2,459 yards with 15 touchdowns in eight games as a starter, showcasing potential against a strong Texans defense.

Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the importance of focus as they approach this potential trap game against the struggling Cardinals. Injuries may also impact the Texans, with running back Nick Chubb and cornerback Kamari Lassiter among those not practicing as of late, but the team remains poised to capitalize on their current momentum.