Houston, TX – December 2025. The Arizona Cardinals head to NRG Stadium on Sunday, December 14, to take on the Houston Texans in a Week 15 matchup that heavily favors the home team as the playoff race tightens in the AFC.

The game will kick off at 11 a.m. MST and air on FOX, with streaming available via FUBO.

Odds and Betting Lines

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Houston enters as a clear favorite:

• Spread: Texans -9.5

• Moneyline: Texans -525, Cardinals +400

• Over/Under: 42.5 points

Expert Picks and Score Predictions

• Arizona Republic Prediction: Texans 27, Cardinals 17
  Arizona is coming off a brutal loss to the Rams, and Houston’s defense is expected to force turnovers and control the game from start to finish.

• Bookies.com Betting Insight: Cardinals +9.5
  Despite the Texans’ dominance, Arizona has quietly covered seven of its last eight games as a road underdog and remains 5–0 ATS against the NFC.

• Sports Betting Dime Projection:
  Texans 22.1, Cardinals 10.6

• Dimers Simulation:
  Texans 25, Cardinals 18
  Win probabilities: Texans 74%, Cardinals 26%.

• ESPN Playoff Predictor:
  Texans have a 71.2% chance to win

  , Cardinals sit at 28.6%.

• Sportsnaut Prediction: Texans 20, Cardinals 13
  Houston’s elite defense and the return of C.J. Stroud are expected to overpower an Arizona offense weakened by injuries.

Game Outlook

The contrast between these two teams could not be sharper. Arizona suffered a demoralizing 45–17 home loss to the Rams and remains stuck in a prolonged playoff drought. Houston, meanwhile, delivered one of the league’s most impressive wins of the season by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs

20–10, forcing three Patrick Mahomes interceptions in the process.

The Texans boast the best defense in the NFL, allowing just 16 points and 266.3 yards per game. With

C.J. Stroud back under center, Houston’s offense regains its full identity, capable of controlling time of possession through long, methodical drives.

Arizona, on the other hand, continues to struggle in the trenches and enters this matchup significantly shorthanded on offense. While the Cardinals have shown resilience against the spread on the road, their overall outlook remains grim.

Final Word

All indicators point toward a Texans victory. Houston’s defense should harass Arizona’s quarterback throughout the afternoon, while Stroud methodically builds separation on the scoreboard. It may not turn into a blowout, but a

controlled home win looks like the most likely outcome in Week 15.