The Arizona Cardinals couldn’t have scripted a rougher start to their Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. By the end of the first quarter, they were staring down a 17-0 deficit, and the scoreboard wasn’t the only thing working against them - they also lost running back Bam Knight to an ankle injury that required him to be carted off the field.
NICO COLLINS STARTS THE SCORING TODAY IN LESS THAN A MINUTE FOR THE TEXANS 🤯pic.twitter.com/LIIHlVJ5zO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 14, 2025
Knight, just 24 and in his third NFL season, went down early and was quickly ruled questionable to return. The team will evaluate the severity of the injury, but any time a player needs the cart, it’s cause for concern.
With Knight sidelined, the Cardinals turned to Emari Demercado and Michael Carter to carry the load in the backfield. Rookie Corey Kiner could also see some touches as the team looks for answers.
Offensively, the Cardinals couldn’t find any rhythm out of the gate, and defensively, they were immediately put on their heels. Houston wasted no time, striking just seconds into the game when C.J.
Stroud connected with Nico Collins on a 57-yard touchdown bomb. It was a perfectly executed play - Stroud’s deep ball placement was spot-on, and Collins did the rest after the catch, slicing through Arizona’s secondary.
Things went from bad to worse on the ensuing kickoff. Arizona coughed up the return, and the Texans pounced on the loose ball, setting up shop in prime scoring position. That turnover translated into more points, and just like that, the Cardinals were in a 10-0 hole before their offense had a chance to get settled.
By the time the first quarter wrapped, Houston had tacked on another score, and Arizona found itself trailing 17-0. It was a brutal opening frame, the kind of start that deflates a sideline and tests a team's resolve.
At 3-10, the Cardinals aren’t playing for a playoff spot - that ship sailed weeks ago. But there’s still pride on the line, and Sundays in December are about more than the standings.
The Texans follow up the early TD with a forced fumble recovery on the kickoff 🤯pic.twitter.com/mKZyHRfEtM https://t.co/OjTTEpEUWz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 14, 2025
For younger players and a coaching staff trying to build a foundation, how you respond to adversity matters. And make no mistake, this game delivered plenty of it - fast and early.
With Knight’s status uncertain and the scoreboard already lopsided, Arizona will need to regroup quickly. There’s still time left on the clock, but if the Cardinals want to salvage anything from this game, it starts with cleaning up the mistakes and finding some fight - because the Texans came ready to play.