Cardinals 20–40 Texans: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 15, 2025

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

J. Brissett (Arizona Cardinals), 58.7% completion, +1.2% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.42 total passing EPA. C. Stroud (Houston Texans), 66.7% completion, +11.9% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +14.93 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

C. Stroud (Houston Texans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.93 total EPA on Passing plays. across 33 snaps. Their top snap (+4.83 EPA): (14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Quick answer

Winner: Houston Texans
Final score: Houston Texans 40–20 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime: Arizona Cardinals 7–23 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: C.J. Stroud
Top passer: Jacoby Brissett
Biggest EPA play: 15-K.Fairbairn kicks 64 yards from HOU 35 to ARI 1. 86-J.Brooks to ARI 28 for 27 yards (56…
Game date: 2025-12-14

Game summary

The Houston Texans beat the Arizona Cardinals 40–20 on 2025-12-14. C.J. Stroud posted a game-high +14.93 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Arizona Cardinals	0	7	7	6	0	20
Houston Texans	17	6	7	10	0	40

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

ARIArizona Cardinals

ARI 57

HOU 2

+3ARI 37

HOU 20

HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

17 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

HOUHouston Texans
Q1 14:21TD
Nico Collins
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 57
Score
0-6
(14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
HOUHouston Texans
Q1 14:11XP
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 15
Score
0-7
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
HOUHouston Texans
Q1 12:03FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ARI 12
Score
0-10
(12:03) 15-K.Fairbairn 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
HOUHouston Texans
Q1 6:15TD
Woody Marks
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 1
Score
0-16
(6:15) 57-B.Fisher reported in as eligible. 7-C.Stroud FUMBLES (Aborted) at ARI 2, recovered by HOU-27-W.Marks at ARI 7. 27-W.Marks for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
HOUHouston Texans
Q1 6:12XP
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 15
Score
0-17
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 13:45TD
Trey McBride
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 2
Score
6-17
(13:45) 78-J.Fryar reported in as eligible. 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 85-T.McBride for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 13:41XP
Chad Ryland
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 15
Score
7-17
38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-39-M.Haack.
HOUHouston Texans
Q2 9:05FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ARI 37
Score
7-20
(9:05) 15-K.Fairbairn 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
HOUHouston Texans
Q2 1:46FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ARI 3
Score
7-23
(1:46) 15-K.Fairbairn 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
HOUHouston Texans
Q3 4:42TD
Dalton Schultz
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 4
Score
7-29
(4:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short left to 86-D.Schultz for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
HOUHouston Texans
Q3 4:35XP
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 15
Score
7-30
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q3 0:39TD
Trey McBride
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 20
Score
13-30
(:39) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 85-T.McBride for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q3 0:33XP
Chad Ryland
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 15
Score
14-30
38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-39-M.Haack.
HOUHouston Texans
Q4 13:38FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ARI 15
Score
14-33
(13:38) 15-K.Fairbairn 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 11:06TD
Marco Wilson
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 11
Score
20-33
(11:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short left to 14-M.Wilson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
HOUHouston Texans
Q4 3:14TD
Nico Collins
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 4
Score
20-39
(3:14) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
HOUHouston Texans
Q4 3:09XP
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 15
Score
20-40
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1C.J. Stroud · Houston Texans · Passing · +14.93 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
2Trey McBride · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +11.95 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
3Nico Collins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +7.96 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.99 EPA/play
4Dalton Schultz · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.85 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
5Michael Carter II · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.23 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
6Dare Ogunbowale · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
7Cade Stover · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
8Michael Carter II · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.80 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

C.J. Stroud — HOU · Passing

C.J. Stroud posted the highest total EPA (+14.93) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Houston Texans. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.45 EPA per play.

C.J. Stroud's top snap (+4.83 EPA): (14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-5.91 EPA): Ka'imi Fairbairn — 15-K.Fairbairn kicks 64 yards from HOU 35 to ARI 1. 86-J.Brooks to ARI 28 for 27 yards (56-J.Hill). FUMBLES (56-J.Hill), RECOVERED by HOU-33-D.Ogunbowale at ARI 28. 33-D.Ogunbowale to ARI 22 for 6 yar

Quarterback report card

Jacoby Brissett led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Jacoby Brissett (Arizona Cardinals) · 46 dropbacks · 58.7% completion · +1.2% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.42 total EPA
C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) · 33 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +11.9% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +14.93 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Arizona Cardinals	Houston Texans
Offensive EPA/play	-0.046	+0.244
Offensive success rate	49.4%	52.4%
Pass EPA/play	-0.009	+0.453
Rush EPA/play	+0.142	-0.021
Defensive EPA/play	-0.244	+0.046
Defensive success rate	47.6%	50.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs -0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Arizona Cardinals: -0.05 EPA/play (36th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
Houston Texans: +0.24 EPA/play (92nd percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)

Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, -3.76 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Houston Texans: 11 drives, +20.03 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Houston Texans — Nico Collins (C.J. Stroud pass) (Q1 14:21)
Houston Texans — Woody Marks (Q1 6:15)
Arizona Cardinals — Trey McBride (Jacoby Brissett pass) (Q2 13:45)
Houston Texans — Dalton Schultz (C.J. Stroud pass) (Q3 4:42)
Arizona Cardinals — Trey McBride (Jacoby Brissett pass) (Q3 0:39)
Arizona Cardinals — Marco Wilson (Jacoby Brissett pass) (Q4 11:06)
Houston Texans — Nico Collins (C.J. Stroud pass) (Q4 3:14)

Field goals

Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q1 12:03)
Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q2 9:05)
Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q2 1:46)
Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q4 13:38)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 17–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 57 (Q1 14:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 14:11) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 12 (Q1 12:03) — (12:03) 15-K.Fairbairn 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q1 6:15); Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 6:12) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–6. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q2 13:45) — (13:45) 78-J.Fryar reported in as eligible. 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 85-T.McBride for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 13:41) — 38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-39-M.Haack.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 37 (Q2 9:05) — (9:05) 15-K.Fairbairn 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 3 (Q2 1:46) — (1:46) 15-K.Fairbairn 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q3 4:42) — (4:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short left to 86-D.Schultz for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 4:35) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 20 (Q3 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 85-T.McBride for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 0:33) — 38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-39-M.Haack..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–6. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 15 (Q4 13:38) — (13:38) 15-K.Fairbairn 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 11 (Q4 11:06) — (11:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short left to 14-M.Wilson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q4 3:14) — (3:14) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 3:09) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Houston Texans (Q1 14:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.83]
Arizona Cardinals (Q1 14:11) — 15-K.Fairbairn kicks 64 yards from HOU 35 to ARI 1. 86-J.Brooks to ARI 28 for 27 yards (56-J.Hill). FUMBLES (56-J.Hill), RECOVERED by HOU-33-D.Ogunbowale at ARI 28. 33-D.Ogunbowale to ARI 22 for 6 yar [WPA -8.7% · EPA -5.91]
Arizona Cardinals (Q2 13:45) — (13:45) 78-J.Fryar reported in as eligible. 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 85-T.McBride for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +2.01]
Houston Texans (Q2 9:05) — (9:05) 15-K.Fairbairn 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend. [WPA +5.7% · EPA +2.05]
Houston Texans (Q1 7:35) — (7:35) 7-C.Stroud pass incomplete deep right to 86-D.Schultz (21-G.Williams). ** Injury Update: HOU-27-W.Marks has returned to the game. PENALTY on ARI-21-G.Williams, Defensive Pass Interference, 24 y [WPA +4.3% · EPA +1.91]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Arizona Cardinals (Q1 14:11) — 15-K.Fairbairn kicks 64 yards from HOU 35 to ARI 1. 86-J.Brooks to ARI 28 for 27 yards (56-J.Hill). FUMBLES (56-J.Hill), RECOVERED by HOU-33-D.Ogunbowale at ARI 28. 33-D.Ogunbowale to ARI 22 for 6 yar [WPA -8.7% · EPA -5.91]
Houston Texans (Q1 14:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.83]
Arizona Cardinals (Q3 9:01) — (9:01) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass deep left intended for 14-M.Wilson INTERCEPTED by 4-K.Lassiter at HOU -4. Touchback. [WPA -3.6% · EPA -4.64]
Houston Texans (Q3 0:33) — 38-C.Ryland kicks 60 yards from ARI 35 to HOU 5. 14-J.Noel to ARI 26 for 69 yards (13-K.Clark). [WPA +0.4% · EPA +3.12]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 14:21 · ARI 57 · Score 0-6
(14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 14:11 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 12:03 · ARI 12 · Score 0-10
(12:03) 15-K.Fairbairn 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 6:15 · ARI 1 · Score 0-16
(6:15) 57-B.Fisher reported in as eligible. 7-C.Stroud FUMBLES (Aborted) at ARI 2, recovered by HOU-27-W.Marks at ARI 7. 27-W.Marks for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 6:12 · ARI 15 · Score 0-17
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 13:45 · HOU 2 · Score 6-17
(13:45) 78-J.Fryar reported in as eligible. 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 85-T.McBride for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 13:41 · HOU 15 · Score 7-17
38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-39-M.Haack.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 9:05 · ARI 37 · Score 7-20
(9:05) 15-K.Fairbairn 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 1:46 · ARI 3 · Score 7-23
(1:46) 15-K.Fairbairn 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 4:42 · ARI 4 · Score 7-29
(4:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short left to 86-D.Schultz for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 4:35 · ARI 15 · Score 7-30
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 0:39 · HOU 20 · Score 13-30
(:39) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 85-T.McBride for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 0:33 · HOU 15 · Score 14-30
38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-39-M.Haack.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 13:38 · ARI 15 · Score 14-33
(13:38) 15-K.Fairbairn 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 11:06 · HOU 11 · Score 20-33
(11:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short left to 14-M.Wilson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 3:14 · ARI 4 · Score 20-39
(3:14) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 3:09 · ARI 15 · Score 20-40
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-6-T.Townsend.

Key takeaways

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

Houston Texans earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
C.J. Stroud (HOU) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans on 2025-12-14?

The Houston Texans beat the Arizona Cardinals 40-20 in Week 15, 2025.

What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

Q1: Arizona Cardinals 0, Houston Texans 17; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 7, Houston Texans 6; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 7, Houston Texans 7; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 6, Houston Texans 10; Final: Arizona Cardinals 20, Houston Texans 40.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

Houston Texans touchdown — N. Collins (C. Stroud pass) (Q1 14:21) Houston Texans touchdown — W. Marks (Q1 6:15) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. McBride (J. Brissett pass) (Q2 13:45) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Schultz (C. Stroud pass) (Q3 4:42) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. McBride (J. Brissett pass) (Q3 0:39) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Wilson (J. Brissett pass) (Q4 11:06) Houston Texans touchdown — N. Collins (C. Stroud pass) (Q4 3:14) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q1 12:03, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 9:05, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 1:46, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q4 13:38, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

Jacoby Brissett (Arizona Cardinals), 58.7% completion, +1.2% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.42 total passing EPA. C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), 66.7% completion, +11.9% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +14.93 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.93 total EPA on Passing plays. across 33 snaps. Their top snap (+4.83 EPA): (14:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 12-N.Collins for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 3-10 Now 3-11 L

Houston Texans

Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W

Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans: 2025 Week 15 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

Top fantasy performers · Texans

Quick answer

Game summary