The Houston Texans (1-5, 0-3 away) get their shot at the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL when they take on the Arizona Cardinals (6-0, 2-0 home). The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2017, when the Texans won 31-21 at home.
Sunday’s kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. EST time inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. According to the oddsmakers, the Cardinals are a heavy 18-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 48 points.
What to Know – Houston Texans
Houston began the season with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars but have dropped five in a row by an average margin of 19.2 points. The Texans find themselves at the bottom of the AFC South standings and play three of their next four games on the road.
Starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor is on the IR, so rookie signal-caller Davis Mills has started the last four contests. Mills is completing 63.3% of his passes with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Veteran running back Mark Ingram II leads the Texans with 285 yards on the ground and one score. The wide receiving core is highlighted by Brandin Cooks with 40 receptions for 481 yards and a score.
The Texans are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against NFC foes and 1-4 ATS in their last five games played in October.
What to Know – Arizona Cardinals
Arizona is the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFL and has a great chance to move to 7-0 through the first seven weeks of the year. A win on Sunday keeps the Cardinals in first place in the NFC West with at least a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Rams. Arizona’s star defensive end J.J. Watt and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins get a shot at their former team.
Quarterback Kyler Murray powers an Arizona offense that ranks fourth in the NFL scoring 32.3 points per game. Murray’s been piecing together an MVP-esque season, throwing for 14 touchdowns and adding three on the ground.
Murray spreads the ball around through the air, with three wideouts having 300 yards or more this season. Hopkins leads the bunch with 367 yards and six touchdowns and behind him is Christian Kirk (26 receptions, 358 yards, three touchdowns) and veteran A.J. Green (21 receptions, 340 yards, three touchdowns)
Arizona is 5-1 ATS in their last six games, and the Cardinals are 4-1 ATS in recent contests played against the AFC South,
The Pick is In
Sunday’s interleague contest showcases two franchises moving in opposite directions. Houston is in the early stages of a complete roster rebuild while the Cardinals are built for a deep playoff run.
The spread is one of the largest spread’s in the NFL this season, but the truth is that the Texans don’t stand a chance against the Cardinals. Arizona hasn’t let us down yet this season, so we will continue to roll with Murray and Co. until they give us a reason not to.
The Pick: Arizona Cardinals -18
