Final2025 Week 15

Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX

Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans, Week 15 2025

Arizona Cardinals

Away

20

Houston Texans

HomeWon

40

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Cardinals077620
Texans17671040

ARI 20HOU 40 Final

  • Passing leader

    C.J. Stroud

    HOU · QB

    23.4PPR pts

    22/29, 260 YDS, 3 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Trey McBride

    ARI · TE

    37.4PPR pts

    12 REC, 134 YDS, 2 TD

  • Cardinals leader

    Jacoby Brissett

    ARI · QB

    21.6PPR pts

    27/40, 249 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT

  • Defensive playmaker

    Kamari Lassiter

    HOU

    1 INT, 5 TKL

Texans 40, Cardinals 20: Houston leads from start to finish

Houston led 23–7 at halftime and outscored Arizona 17–13 after the break to win 40–20. The Texans finished with a 399–307 edge in total offense and averaged 6.3 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Cardinals went 5-for-12 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Texans kept the ball for 32:18 and finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

  • +1.4 yards/play HOU 6.3 · ARI 4.9
  • +2 turnover margin HOU 0 turnovers
  • +92 total yards HOU 399 · ARI 307

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Texans Won

Houston won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Cardinals vs Texans
CardinalsStatTexans
4.9Yards per play6.3
2Turnovers0
307Total yards399
Other team stats
63Plays63
42%Third-down conversion54%
27:42Time of possession32:18

Scoring Summary

The Texans scored four touchdowns and four field goals; the Cardinals scored three touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Cardinals vs Texans
TimeTeamPlayARIHOU
1st quarter
14:11HOUC.J. Stroud → Nico Collins, 57-yard TD Takes leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP07
12:00HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 30-yard FG Extends lead010
6:12HOUC.J. Stroud Aborted Snap C.J. Stroud Fumble Woody Marks 1-yard fumble return TD Extends leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP017
2nd quarter
13:41ARIJacoby Brissett → Trey McBride, 2-yard TDChad Ryland XP717
9:01HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 55-yard FG Extends lead720
1:44HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 22-yard FG Extends lead723
3rd quarter
4:35HOUC.J. Stroud → Dalton Schultz, 4-yard TD Extends leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP730
0:33ARIJacoby Brissett → Trey McBride, 20-yard TDChad Ryland XP1430
4th quarter
13:34HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 33-yard FG Extends lead1433
11:01ARIJacoby Brissett → Michael Wilson, 11-yard TD2-pt try failed2033
3:09HOUC.J. Stroud → Nico Collins, 4-yard TD Extends leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP2040

Fantasy Points: Cardinals vs Texans, Week 15 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. Trey McBrideARITE37.4 PTSTE2
  2. Nico CollinsHOUWR23.5 PTSWR5
  3. C.J. StroudHOUQB23.4 PTSQB8
  4. Jacoby BrissettARIQB21.6 PTSQB12

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
C.J. StroudHOUQB23.4QB822/29260306100137.1Start/Sit →
Jacoby BrissettARIQB21.6QB1227/402493136098.9Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Trey McBrideARITE37.4TE2TE———13121342Start/Sit →
Nico CollinsHOUWR23.5WR5WR———43852Start/Sit →
Dalton SchultzHOUTE21.6TE7TE———98761Start/Sit →
Michael WilsonARIWR16.4WR18WR———115541Start/Sit →
Jawhar JordanHOURB13.8RB17RB15101022170Start/Sit →
Michael CarterARIRB13.4RB19RB1456044380Start/Sit →
Woody MarksHOURB10.8RB25RB73001180Start/Sit →
Dare OgunbowaleHOURB7.4RB40RB52043320Start/Sit →
Cade StoverHOUTE5.2TE28TE———33220Start/Sit →
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR2.6WR89WR———21160Start/Sit →
Emari DemercadoARIRB2.1RB65RB1103200Start/Sit →
Pharaoh BrownARITE2.1TE50TE———2210
Jayden HigginsHOUWR1.4WR100WR———1140
Elijah HigginsARITE1.3TE57TE———2130Start/Sit →
Corey KinerARIRB1.1RB72RB2110————Start/Sit →
Jalen BrooksARIWR0.9WR102WR———31190Start/Sit →
Zonovan KnightARIRB-0.2—RB1-20————

Fantasy Usage

Arizona Cardinals

Snap Share

  1. Trey McBrideTE61 snaps92%
  2. Michael WilsonWR56 snaps85%
  3. Michael CarterRB53 snaps80%
  4. Jalen BrooksWR47 snaps71%
  5. Elijah HigginsTE46 snaps70%

Target Share38 targets

  1. Trey McBride34%, 13 targets
  2. Michael Wilson29%, 11 targets
  3. Michael Carter11%, 4 targets
  4. Jalen Brooks8%, 3 targets
  5. Emari Demercado8%, 3 targets
  6. Other11%, 4 targets

Carry Share21 carries

  1. Michael Carter67%, 14 carries
  2. Jacoby Brissett14%, 3 carries
  3. Corey Kiner10%, 2 carries
  4. Zonovan Knight5%, 1 carries
  5. Emari Demercado5%, 1 carries

Houston Texans

Snap Share

  1. Dalton SchultzTE53 snaps79%
  2. Nico CollinsWR49 snaps73%
  3. Jayden HigginsWR48 snaps72%
  4. Cade StoverTE41 snaps61%
  5. Jawhar JordanRB28 snaps42%

Target Share26 targets

  1. Dalton Schultz35%, 9 targets
  2. Dare Ogunbowale15%, 4 targets
  3. Nico Collins15%, 4 targets
  4. Cade Stover12%, 3 targets
  5. Xavier Hutchinson8%, 2 targets
  6. Other15%, 4 targets

Carry Share33 carries

  1. Jawhar Jordan45%, 15 carries
  2. Woody Marks21%, 7 carries
  3. C.J. Stroud18%, 6 carries
  4. Dare Ogunbowale15%, 5 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Trey McBrideARITE6192%1334%0
Michael WilsonARIWR5685%1129%0
Michael CarterARIRB5380%411%14
Dalton SchultzHOUTE5379%935%0
Nico CollinsHOUWR4973%415%0
Jayden HigginsHOUWR4872%14%0
Jalen BrooksARIWR4771%38%0
Elijah HigginsARITE4670%25%0
Cade StoverHOUTE4161%312%0
Jawhar JordanHOURB2842%28%15
Dare OgunbowaleHOURB2131%415%5
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR2030%28%0
Christian KirkHOUWR1624%00%0
Woody MarksHOURB1522%14%7
Trent SherfieldARIWR1421%00%0
Pharaoh BrownARITE1117%25%0
Jaylin NoelHOUWR1116%00%0
Andre BaccelliaARIWR1015%00%0
Josiah DeguaraARITE812%00%0
Emari DemercadoARIRB711%38%1
Corey KinerARIRB58%00%2
Harrison BryantHOUTE46%00%0
British BrooksHOURB34%00%0
Zonovan KnightARIRB12%00%1

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Trey McBrideARI · TE37.422.2+15.292%34% tgt—000%1334%
Jacoby BrissettARI · QB21.619.7+1.9100%40 att—40314%00%
Michael WilsonARI · WR16.418.8−2.485%29% tgt—000%1129%
C.J. StroudHOU · QB23.416.7+6.7100%29 att—29618%00%
Michael CarterARI · RB13.415.9−2.580%67% car—01467%411%
Dalton SchultzHOU · TE21.615.3+6.379%35% tgt—000%935%
Jawhar JordanHOU · RB13.813.1+0.742%45% car—01545%28%
Dare OgunbowaleHOU · RB6.410.0−3.631%15% tgt—0515%415%
Nico CollinsHOU · WR23.56.8+16.773%15% tgt—000%415%
Woody MarksHOU · RB4.86.2−1.422%21% car—0721%14%
Emari DemercadoARI · RB2.15.8−3.711%8% tgt—015%38%
Cade StoverHOU · TE5.25.1+0.161%12% tgt—000%312%
Jalen BrooksARI · WR0.95.1−4.271%8% tgt—000%38%
Elijah HigginsARI · TE1.33.4−2.170%5% tgt—000%25%
Pharaoh BrownARI · TE2.13.4−1.317%5% tgt—000%25%
Xavier HutchinsonHOU · WR2.63.4−0.830%8% tgt—000%28%
Jayden HigginsHOU · WR1.41.7−0.372%4% tgt—000%14%
Corey KinerARI · RB1.11.3−0.28%10% car—0210%00%
Bam KnightARI · —-0.20.6−0.8—5% car—015%00%

Team totals: Cardinals 38 targets and 21 carries; Texans 26 targets and 33 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Jacoby Brissett

ARI · QB · 21.6 pts on 19.7 expected

27 of 40 passing for 249 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; 3 carries for 6 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Jacoby Brissett →

C.J. Stroud Ran hot

HOU · QB · 23.4 pts on 16.7 expected

22 of 29 passing for 260 yards, 3 touchdowns; 6 carries for 10 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: C.J. Stroud →

Trey McBride Ran hot

ARI · TE · 37.4 pts on 22.2 expected

13 targets (34% of the team's), 12 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 22.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Trey McBride →

Michael Wilson

ARI · WR · 16.4 pts on 18.8 expected

11 targets (29% of the team's), 5 catches for 54 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Michael Wilson →

Dalton Schultz Ran hot

HOU · TE · 21.6 pts on 15.3 expected

9 targets (35% of the team's), 8 catches for 76 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 15.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Dalton Schultz →

Jawhar Jordan

HOU · RB · 13.8 pts on 13.1 expected

2 targets (8% of the team's), 2 catches for 17 yards; 15 carries (45% of the team's) for 101 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Jawhar Jordan →

Nico Collins Ran hot

HOU · WR · 23.5 pts on 6.8 expected

4 targets (15% of the team's), 3 catches for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 6.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Nico Collins →

Michael Carter Volume, no payoff

ARI · RB · 13.4 pts on 15.9 expected

4 targets (11% of the team's), 4 catches for 38 yards; 14 carries (67% of the team's) for 56 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.9 expected.

Start/Sit: Michael Carter →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Arizona Cardinals

  • Stock up: Michael Carter played 80% of the snaps, up from a 40% season average.
  • Stock up: Jalen Brooks played 71% of the snaps, up from a 23% season average.
  • Stock up: Elijah Higgins played 70% of the snaps, up from a 36% season average.

Houston Texans

  • Stock up: Jawhar Jordan led the backfield with 42% of the snaps after trailing Woody Marks before this game.
  • Stock up: Dare Ogunbowale played 31% of the snaps, up from a 11% season average.
  • Stock up: Cade Stover played 61% of the snaps, up from a 36% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cardinals defense and Texans defense
Points allowed toCardinals DTexans D
QBs17.613.5
RBs25.719.3
WRs30.225.1
TEs16.912.3

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Houston opened at 78% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Texans win probability

Texans win probability by game minuteTexans started at 78%, stood at 99% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 11 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +12Stroud → Collins, 57-yd TD78% → 90%Q1 14:11
  2. +3Fairbairn 30-yd FG90% → 94%Q1 12:00
  3. +5Marks 1-yd TD94% → 98%Q1 6:12
  4. −5Brissett → McBride, 2-yd TD98% → 94%Q2 13:41
  5. +3Fairbairn 55-yd FG94% → 97%Q2 9:01

Swing in Texans win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cardinals vs Texans
Arizona CardinalsMeasureHouston Texans
63Plays63
67%Pass rate48%
5.6Yds / dropback8.5
3.4Yds / carry4.3
5/12Third downs7/13

Efficiency edge Houston ran as many plays and gained 2.9 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • ARI McBride 34% · Wilson 29% · Carter 11%
  • HOU Schultz 35% · Ogunbowale 15% · Collins 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cardinals vs Texans
ResultARIHOU
Touchdowns33
Field goals04
Punts31
Turnovers21
Turnovers on downs20
Missed field goals01

HOU turnover edge: +1

  • The Texans opened the scoring on their first possession, a 2-play, 59-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Texans drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to five minutes.
All 21 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
HOUQ1 15:002590:49Touchdown
ARIQ1 14:11000:08Fumble
HOUQ1 14:035102:03Field goal
ARIQ1 12:003-71:37Punt
HOUQ1 10:238494:11Fumble
ARIQ1 6:1213717:31Touchdown
HOUQ2 13:417284:40Field goal
ARIQ2 9:01371:33Punt
HOUQ2 7:2812765:44Field goal
ARIQ2 1:447231:08Downs
HOUQ2 0:365180:36Missed FG
ARIQ3 15:0011536:05Interception
HOUQ3 8:558804:20Touchdown
ARIQ3 4:358714:02Touchdown
HOUQ3 0:335111:59Field goal
ARIQ4 13:348732:33Touchdown
HOUQ4 11:014182:17Punt
ARIQ4 8:44361:09Punt
HOUQ4 7:3510554:26Touchdown
ARIQ4 3:097201:56Downs
HOUQ4 1:13201:13End of game
About these numbers

The Cardinals' fumble touchdown is counted as a Texans lost fumble, not as a Cardinals possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cardinals vs Texans Head-to-Head

The Cardinals and Texans first met in 2005 and have played 7 times since.

All-time series
4–3Texans lead, 7 meetings since 2005
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Cardinals win
31–52021
Largest Texans win
40–202025

Since 2021

2–1 Texans lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. T = Texans win, C = Cardinals win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cardinals vs Texans
CardinalsStatTexans
3-14Record12-5
20.9Points per game23.8
325.8Yards per game327.0
5.2Yards per play5.1
28.7Points allowed per game17.4
357.7Yards allowed per game277.2

Cardinals vs Texans Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
HOU −10.5Texans covered by 9.5
Total
42.5Over: 60 points scored (by 17.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Texans26.540+13.5
Cardinals16.020+4.0

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Last 2 meetings: Cardinals 1–1 ATS, overs and unders 1–1.

Each team's 2025 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Arizona Cardinals

Against the spread
1–2
Over/under
2–1
ATS as underdog
1–2
ATS on the road
1–1

Houston Texans

Against the spread
3–0
Over/under
1–1
ATS as favorite
1–0
ATS as underdog
2–0
ATS at home
1–0

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Cardinals and Texans in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Cardinal or a Texan, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cardinals vs Texans Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Cardinals vs Texans Week 15 game?

The Houston Texans beat the Arizona Cardinals 40–20 in Week 15 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, on December 14, 2025. See the Texans' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Cardinals vs Texans?

The final score was Texans 40, Cardinals 20. The Texans led 23–7 at halftime, and the second half went Cardinals 13, Texans 17.

What happened in the Cardinals vs Texans game?

Houston led 23–7 at halftime and outscored Arizona 17–13 after the break to win 40–20. The Texans finished with a 399–307 edge in total offense and averaged 6.3 yards per play. Trey McBride led all players with 12 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Cardinals committed 2 turnovers, the Texans none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cardinals vs Texans?

Trey McBride led the game with 37.4 PPR fantasy points, the TE2 of Week 15, on 12 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nico Collins was next with 23.5 (WR5). See Trey McBride's 2025 game log.

Who led Cardinals vs Texans in passing, rushing and receiving?

C.J. Stroud (HOU) led all passers with 22 of 29 for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jawhar Jordan (HOU) led in rushing with 15 carries for 101 yards. Trey McBride (ARI) led in receiving with 12 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Trey McBride score against the Texans?

Trey McBride scored 37.4 points in PPR leagues, 31.4 in half-PPR and 25.4 in standard scoring against the Texans in Week 15 of the 2025 season, on 12 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. He drew 34% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cardinals vs Texans?

Nico Collins outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 23.5 PPR points on 6.8 xFP (+16.7). Jalen Brooks fell furthest short, with 0.9 points on 5.1 xFP (−4.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Cardinals vs Texans?

Trey McBride had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 22.2 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 37.4. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Texans beat the Cardinals?

The Texans beat the Cardinals 40–20 because they averaged 6.3 yards per play to 4.9, won the turnover battle 2–0, and outgained them 399–307.

Which team won the turnover battle in Cardinals vs Texans?

The Texans won the turnover battle 2–0: the Cardinals gave the ball away 2 times and the Texans not at all. The Texans won the game.

What is the all-time Cardinals vs Texans record?

The Texans lead the all-time series 4–3 across 7 meetings since 2005.

When did the Cardinals and Texans last play before this game?

Before Week 15 of 2025, they last met in the 2023 season on November 19, 2023, when the Texans beat the Cardinals 21–16.

What was the closing spread for Cardinals vs Texans?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Texans −10.5, making the Houston Texans 10.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 42.5. That implied about 26.5 points for the Texans and 16.0 for the Cardinals.

Did Cardinals vs Texans go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 42.5, and the teams combined for 60 points, 17.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Cardinals vs Texans?

The Texans covered by 9.5 against the closing line of Texans −10.5. The final margin was 20 points.