Texans vs Cardinals Week 7 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and Preview: Kyler Murray Targets 7-0 Start

(Photo : Nick Cammett/Getty Images) CLEVELAND, OHIO - Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals looks on after the 37-14 win against the Cleveland Browns at the FirstEnergy Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Arizona Cardinals' run as the last undefeated team in 2021 will continue into Week 7 after they crushed the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. The Cards will look to stretch that unbeaten run even further when they lock horns with the struggling Houston Texans, who had lost five in a row. Read on for an in-depth breakdown of this Texans vs Cardinals clash.

Houston Texans installed as +17 underdogs

The losses are piling up for the woeful Texans. Houston stumbled to its fifth consecutive defeat on Sunday, absorbing a humiliating 31-3 loss at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. The game was lost in the Texans' opening play of the second half when two-time All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard picked off Davis Mills. It all went downhill for the Texans from there as they were outscored 21-0 by the Colts during the second half.

To make matters worse for the Texans, injuries are also mounting for their beleaguered side. Safety Terrence Brooks left the game in the first half with a lung contusion and did not return with coach David Culley already ruling him out for the clash against the Cards. Starting center Justin Britt (knee), receiver Danny Amendola (thigh), and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (left thumb) all missed the game as well against the Colts.

Darius Leonard picks off Davis Mills for the #Colts defense!pic.twitter.com/fJaLH7de7P
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) October 17, 2021

Tyrod Taylor remains on injured reserve after suffering a Grade 2 strained hamstring in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. With Taylor possibly sidelined again for the game against Arizona, the Texans need Davis Mills to step up his game. He looked out of sorts in the loss to the Colts, throwing for 243 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Arizona Cardinals enter Week 7 as -17 favorites

The Arizona Cardinals will head to their showdown against Houston with momentum on their side after destroying the Cleveland Browns, 37-14, on Sunday. It was another dominant victory by the Cardinals, who remained undefeated through their first six assignments. They have won their first six outings by an average of 14.2 points.

With the win, the Cards improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1974. They managed to keep their unbeaten record intact despite not having coach Kliff Kingsbury or star linebacker Chandler Jones, who both tested positive for the coronavirus this week. The Cards embraced the challenge, racing to a 20-0 advantage in the first half, a lead that they did not relinquish.

KYLER MURRAY DIME 🎯🎯
pic.twitter.com/61bL0ehADN
— PFF (@PFF) October 17, 2021

Kyler Murray led the way for the Cards in the Week 6 win, completing 20 of 30 passes for 229 yards with four touchdowns. DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, and Christian Kirk benefited from Murray's highly efficient play as the three wide receivers combined for 209 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Murray and co. will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Houston team that is sixth-worst in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 28.7 points per game this season.