Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2021 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-24, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 31–5 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Mills (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with -19.92 total EPA, and +0.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-23.4% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (6:01) 10-D.Mills sacked at 50 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-44-M.Golden at HOU 49.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +12.94 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Green · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.21 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Kirk · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.10 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Hopkins · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.79 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Akins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.48 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Ingram · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
7. 7 Z. Ertz · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.04 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Amendola · Houston Texans · Receiving · +0.92 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Arizona Cardinals — D. Hopkins (K. Murray pass) (Q2 39:05)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Kirk (K. Murray pass) (Q2 32:51)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Ertz (K. Murray pass) (Q3 23:08)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Conner (Q4 10:29)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q2 45:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q2 30:09)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 2–0. Houston Texans registered a safety from the HOU 98 (Q1 48:06) — (3:06) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray left end tackled in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (54-J.Martin)..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 17–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 35 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 7-K.Fairbairn 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q2 39:05) — (9:05) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 39:01) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q2 32:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 13-C.Kirk for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 32:45) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the HOU 13 (Q2 30:09) — (:09) 5-M.Prater 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 47 (Q3 23:08) — (8:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 86-Z.Ertz for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 22:58) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 18 (Q4 10:29) — (10:29) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 10:22) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Houston Texans (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) 10-D.Mills sacked at 50 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-44-M.Golden at HOU 49. [WPA -23.4% · EPA -5.94]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:46) — (3:46) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green pushed ob at HOU 4 for 41 yards (1-L.Johnson). [WPA +11.6% · EPA +4.67]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 48:06) — (3:06) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray left end tackled in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (54-J.Martin). [WPA -11.5% · EPA -2.29]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:56) — (10:56) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 13-C.Kirk to HOU 10 for 13 yards (1-L.Johnson). [WPA +9.9% · EPA +2.38]
• Houston Texans (Q2 36:33) — (6:33) 10-D.Mills pass deep left to 13-B.Cooks ran ob at ARI 43 for 18 yards. [WPA +8.8% · EPA +1.69]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Houston Texans (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) 10-D.Mills sacked at 50 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-44-M.Golden at HOU 49. [WPA -23.4% · EPA -5.94]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:46) — (3:46) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green pushed ob at HOU 4 for 41 yards (1-L.Johnson). [WPA +11.6% · EPA +4.67]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 19:28) — (4:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle intended for 86-Z.Ertz INTERCEPTED by 1-L.Johnson at HOU 39. 1-L.Johnson to ARI 46 for 15 yards (2-C.Edmonds). [WPA -3.0% · EPA -4.47]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 23:08) — (8:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 86-Z.Ertz for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.9% · EPA +3.77]

Quarterback report card

D.Mills led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Mills (Houston Texans) · 39 dropbacks · 59.0% completion · +0.1% CPOE · -0.51 EPA/play · -19.92 total EPA
• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +2.5% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +12.94 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.38), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, +2.09 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Houston Texans: 12 drives, -27.34 total EPA, 1 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Houston Texans Safety (+2) — Q1 48:06 · HOU 98 · Score 2-0
   (3:06) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray left end tackled in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (54-J.Martin).
2. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 45:00 · ARI 35 · Score 5-0
   (15:00) 7-K.Fairbairn 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 39:05 · HOU 1 · Score 5-6
   (9:05) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 39:01 · HOU 15 · Score 5-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 32:51 · HOU 5 · Score 5-13
   (2:51) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 13-C.Kirk for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 32:45 · HOU 15 · Score 5-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 30:09 · HOU 13 · Score 5-17
   (:09) 5-M.Prater 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 23:08 · HOU 47 · Score 5-23
   (8:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 86-Z.Ertz for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 22:58 · HOU 15 · Score 5-24
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
10. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 10:29 · HOU 18 · Score 5-30
    (10:29) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 10:22 · HOU 15 · Score 5-31
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.