Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans Prediction - 12/14/2025
Updated December 13, 2025
Updated December 13, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals (3-10) travel to Houston to take on the Houston Texans (8-5) on Sunday, in a Week 15 NFL matchup that pits a struggling NFC club against an AFC South contender. The Texans have surged to a five-game winning streak and are in the thick of a playoff race, while the Cardinals have dropped five straight and face a series of injury setbacks that have hampered their offense. Houston’s elite defense and home-field advantage make them a clear favorite in this contest, and bettors can find my Cardinals vs Texans prediction below.
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Houston enters this week riding a five-game winning streak. They have the NFL’s top-ranked defense, allowing just 16.0 points per game and leading the league in total defense. Their recent 20-10 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs was a showcase of their defensive dominance as they forced multiple turnovers and limited one of the game’s most explosive quarterbacks. Houston remains in the AFC South hunt and is focused on catching up to an Indianapolis Colts team that is relying on a retiree at quarterback going into the final month of the regular season.
The Cardinals have struggled mightily, posting a 3-10 record and being eliminated from playoff contention. Arizona has lost 12 straight games against teams with winning records and has been hit hard by injuries to key contributors, including wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. The lack of offensive firepower and limited depth has made it challenging for Arizona to stay competitive, particularly against strong defensive units.
For Houston, quarterback C.J. Stroud has been efficient, using a conservative approach that complements his team’s defensive prowess. Stroud’s recent performances since coming back from injury have been headlined by an ability to protect the football for the most part. His ability to manage the game and limit mistakes has helped Houston sustain its winning streak.
Arizona’s offense is led by Jacoby Brissett, who has been a surprisingly effective passer this season. Brissett has thrown for over 2,400 yards with a 3/1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and his experience includes an unusual historical success against the Texans. But the Cardinals haven't been winning with or without Brissett this season and will try to change that here.
Score Projection: Cardinals 14 – Texans 28
Win Probability: Cardinals 17%, Texans 83%
This is a clear mismatch on paper, with Houston’s defense and recent winning streak creating a wide performance gap between these teams. The Cardinals have talent in some spots but are hobbled by injuries and struggling with inconsistency. The Texans are peaking at the right time and they should extend their streak by winning and covering the spread here.
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