Published Dec 11, 7:26pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 11, 7:26pm ET
Grok AI
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|---|---|
| Houston Texans | -10 (-105) |
| Arizona Cardinals | +10 (-115) |
The Texans lost their first three games and looked like they were heading for a disastrous season. However, since then, they have won eight of 10, including victories over the Ravens, 49ers, Jaguars, Bills, Colts, and Chiefs.
With their hard-hitting defense and excellent secondary, they are a genuine threat if they make the playoffs.
In Week 14, the Chiefs knew they needed to win to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive, but the Texans walked into Kansas City and knocked the Chiefs around, forcing three turnovers, and holding Patrick Mahomes to 160 yards through the air.
The 20-10 win was encapsulated by the big hit on Travis Kelce that resulted in an Azeez Al-Shaair interception.
Aaeez Al-Shaair takes advantage on the Travis Kelce mistake.
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) December 8, 2025
Mahomes credited with another pick, the Chiefs just don’t look like the Chiefs man 💔 pic.twitter.com/MYP9LL6si4
This is the Texans. They live by their crushing defense and try to minimize mistakes on offense. Teams like this generally have trouble going deep into the playoffs unless they can run the ball. Are Woody Marks and Nick Chubb enough to advance the ball on the ground, especially in the playoffs?
Marks is dealing with a knee issue. Chubb has injured ribs.
In his second game back after missing three games with a concussion, QB C.J. Stroud played a mistake-free game. He completed 15 of 31 passes for 203 yards and a TD.
Houston is 1st in the league for fewest points allowed per game. They are +12 in takeaways and are in the top 5 in both defensive passing yards per game and defensive rushing yards per game.
ALSO SEE: Raiders vs Eagles | Week 15 Odds & NFL Pick (Dec 14)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Woody Marks, RB | INJURED |
| Nick Chubb, RB | INJURED |
| Kamari Lassiter, CB | INJURED |
| Denico Autry, DE | INJURED |
| E.J. Speed, LB | INJURED |
| Justin Watson, WR | INJURED |
| Harrison Bryant, TE | INJURED |
Against the Rams in Week 14, the Cardinals surrendered more than 40 points for the third time this season. As if head coach Jonathan Gannon needed another black mark on his Cardinals tenure, his background is on the defensive side of the ball. He coached defensive backs for the Vikings, cornerbacks for the Colts, and was the Eagles' defensive coordinator before getting the opportunity with the Cardinals.
“It’s not okay. It’s not acceptable by me, by any of us in there.”
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) December 8, 2025
Jonathan Gannon reflects on today’s loss against the Rams. pic.twitter.com/oxj13qcw7m
It's nice that he knows that it's "not acceptable."
There's nothing he can do to save his job at this point.
They have no rushing attack and, as competent as Jacoby Brissett has been since taking over for Kyler Murray, they'll be lucky to win one more game this season. And even that might be a mistake given their litany of needs. The higher draft pick would benefit them more than a cheap, late-season win or two.
Given their situation, it's difficult to envision the Cardinals' players wanting to endure the hits they'll take against Houston.
If Houston builds up a lead, Arizona will fold.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Xavier Weaver, WR | INJURED |
| Emari Demercado, RB | INJURED |
| Marvin Harrison Jr., WR | INJURED |
| Walter Nolen III, DT | INJURED |
| Max Melton, CB | INJURED |
| Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S | INJURED |
| Paris Johnson Jr., OT | INJURED |
| Jalen Thompson, S | INJURED |
| Trey Benson, RB | INJURED |
| Evan Brown, G | INJURED |
| Bilal Nichols, DT | INJURED |
| Kyler Murray, QB | INJURED |
For Week 15 Cardinals-Texans, Houston needs this win to stay within striking distance of the 1st place Jaguars (who are playing the Jets), and tied with the injury-ravaged Colts if they miraculously beat the Seahawks.
Arizona has very little to play for. They're certainly not trying to save their coach's job, and with a new regime on the way, the players' performance over the final month of a lost season won't make a difference one way or the other.
Houston has trouble putting points on the board, and this is a heavy point spread, but the Texans will win easily by more than 10 points.
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Pick
Houston Texans -10
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