How Texans can build legit win streak, avoid massive letdown vs. Cardinals
IT'S A TRAP!
14 November 2023
The Houston Texans hype train is in full effect after beating Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. If the season were to end today, the Texans would in the playoffs as a wild card.
So the team needs to keep winning as they head to NRG to play three straight home games against the Cardinals, Jaguars, and Broncos.
But first things first, CJ Stroud and company need to take care of business against Arizona. When looking at the Texans opponent, we can basically throw everything we know about them on offense out the window.
The Cardinals are a different team with Kyler Murray and running back James Conner back in the fold. They both returned last week, and helped the team beat the Falcons.
The Texans are currently favored by 4 points, and the total is set at 47.5 points, now the highest total of the week. So Vegas expects a lot of points in this contest.
One matchup we should highlight involves Cardinals TE Trey McBride. He had a big game against the Ravens a few weeks ago and, just this past weekend, recorded 8 catches for 131 yards against Atlanta.
This could be a big factor in Sunday's game, as the Texans have had some issues defending tight ends. Bucs TE Cade Otton had his best game of the year against Houston two weeks ago with 70 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
One thing is for sure, the Texans must avoid this becoming a trap game. Next Sunday's game against the Jaguars will be critical for Houston's chances at winning the division. They don't want to get caught looking ahead.
But with Murray and Conner returning, they should have Houston's full attention.
So can the Texans keep their momentum rolling and beat the Cardinals?
Check out the video above as we break it all down.
Watch Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) every Monday on the SportsMapTexans YouTube channel.
LaMelo Ball had 34 points and 11 assists in his return from an ankle injury and Grant Williams made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to give the Charlotte Hornets a 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
Jalen Green scored five quick points to tie it before Williams put the Hornets on top with his step-back 3 to make it 106-103. Ball, who was playing in his first regular-season game since Jan. 26, added two free throws after that to secure the victory.
Green led Houston with 28 points and Alperen Sengun added 25 points and 18 rebounds in his return after missing the last 19 games of last season with a severely sprained ankle.
Takeaways
Hornets: This team has been plagued by injuries in recent years and the problems continued in the opener with young star Brandon Miller sitting out the second half with soreness in his left hip. They’ll need to keep him, Ball and Miles Bridges healthy if they hope to return to the playoffs after an eight-year drought.
Rockets: They need to play more consistently for four quarters after leading by double figures for most of the first three quarters before letting the Hornets get back into it late.
Key moment
The Hornets used a 10-0 run that spanned from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth to close the gap and put themselves in position for the win after trailing for most of the game.
Key stat
Houston shot 36.9% from the field while the Hornets made 44.7% of their shots.
Up next
The Rockets host the Grizzlies on Friday night and the Hornets visit Atlanta.
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