NFL 2021 Season: Houston Texans at Arizona Betting Analysis

The reeling Houston Texans are in the desert on Sunday to square off against the first-place Arizona Cardinals.

The undefeated Arizona Cardinals look to improve to 7-0 when they host the 1-5 Houston Texans on Sunday. The Cardinals sit atop the NFC West and are coming off an impressive win in Cleveland last week. The Texans have dropped five straight and were soundly beaten by Indianapolis in Week 6.

The Cardinals enter this matchup as massive 17.5 point favorites. The total for this game is currently set at 47.5. The kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 pm EST, and you can watch this game on CBS or DAZN. It’s time we take a look at both teams and how they arrive to this match between Texans and Cardinals so you can bet against their NFL odds.

NFL Betting Preview for Texans vs Cardinals

Kyler Murray Is Only Getting Better

Coming into the 2021 season, I thought the league would clamp down and figure out Kyler Murray. The 2020 Cards lost five out of their last seven games, and it looked like Murray, and the offense had come back down to earth. Boy, was I ever wrong?

Murray has an elite passer rating of 116.2 through six games and has already thrown 14 touchdown passes. Murray has been crazy efficient, completing 73.8% of his passes, and has only turned the ball over four times.

Defensively, the Cardinals java improved, and the acquisition of J.J. Watt in the offseason has certainly played a factor. Although Arizona is still vulnerable against the run, opposing teams are only averaging 214.8 passing yards per game against Vance Joseph’s unit.

Arizona will be a little short up front on Sunday, as they will be without Pro Bowl pass rusher Chandler Jones as he remains on the Covid-19 reserve list.

Houston We Have A Problem

The trainwreck Deshaun Watson saga in the offseason has bled into the Texans season, as they’re in a complete tailspin. Other than a Week 1 win over the Jaguars, Houston has been a complete mess from the top down.

Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor is injured, and third-stringer Davis Mills has been an absolute disaster as his replacement. Mills has been thrust into the starting role in his rookie year and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. The former Stanford grad has a passer rating of 73.2 and has constantly played from behind thanks to the Texan’s woeful defense.

Lovie Smith’s unit is allowing over 400 yards per game and are especially bad against the run. Look for Arizona to play to their pace on the ground with running backs Chase Edmonds and James Connor. It also helps when you have one of the most electric dual threats at quarterback in Murray, as you can scheme in quarterback option plays.

Prediction

The Colts beat the Texans by 28 last week, so there’s no reason why Arizona can’t do the same on their home turf. Cardinals fans haven’t felt this jovial about their team in a while, and for a good reason. This potent team is complete on both sides of the ball and should have this game in their hands by halftime.

The Pick: Arizona Cardinals -17.5

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?