The Cardinals’ defense saved this game for them earlier today.  CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie picked off a Matt Schaub pass and he returned it 49 yards for a TD with 2:20 left in the game to break a 21-21 tie.  Then the defense stopped Texans’ RB Chris Brown on a 4th and Goal from the Cardinals’ 1-yard line to seal this win.  CB Bryant McFadden led the way for the Cardinals on defense in this game with 8 tackles and 1 pass defensed.  Safety Antrel Rolle also had a decent game with 8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 QB hit.  The Texans finished up with 416 total yards in this game (45 rushing, 371 passing).

The Cardinals did not run too well but Kurt Warner was on his game and that was enough to lead the team to victory.  Warner completed 26 of 38 passes for 302 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions.  Beanie Wells led the Cards in rushing in this game with 24 yards on 7 carries (3.4 ypc).  Tim Hightower only rushed for 17 yards on 6 carries (2.8 ypc) with a TD run but he also caught 5 passes for 30 yards (6.0 avg).  Anquan Boldin led the way in the passing game for the Cardinals with 81 yards receiving on 7 grabs (11.6 avg).  Larry Fitzgerald had his best game of the season for the Cardinals with 5 grabs for 79 yards (15.8 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  The Cardinals finished up with 340 total yards in this game (44 rushing, 296 passing).  They are now 2-2 on the season.

This game has the look of a shootout without a doubt.  The Cardinals have done well against the running game this season allowing only 79.7 yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry.  But, they has allowed 280.3 yards passing per game and that’s what the Texans will be ready to do when they get off the bus…..throw…..throw……throw!  Matt Schaub has been outstanding this season (1,047 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INTs) and he finally has all of his weapons healthy at the same time.  Andrew Walter and Owen Daniels will work the underneath routes for the Cardinals in this game while Andre Johnson, Jacoby Jones and Andre Davis will be running deep.  The Texans must run the ball some with Steve Slaton in this game just to keep the Cardinals’ D semi-honest.    The Cardinals do have 8 sacks this season so they will likely be bringing the heat against Matt Schaub who has been sacked 8 times this season.  If the Texans’ O-Line can handle the pressure and give him time to throw the ball Schaub should have a big day.

With the Cardinals having some issues on defense maybe they should consider trying to get the running game going with Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells as the Texans have allowed 165.0 yards rushing per game and 5.5 yards per carry this season.  If the Cardinals fail in controlling the clock with the running game than it will be time for the air raid.  If the Cardinals can keep DE Mario Williams out of the backfield then Kurt Warner will likely slice and dice the secondary of the Texans.  This could be the game that he gets the ball downfield to Larry Fitzgerald early and often to get him back into a good frame of mind.  Don’t forget about Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston who both look healed up do to resting a bit during the bye week.

PREDICTION:  CARDINALS 37, TEXANS 34

QB Kurt Warner can definately use the week off to get better as he has suffered a couple of stingers already this season.  But his WR corps has been banged up since the year began and Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston will benefit big time from a week of rest.  Boldin has caught 16 passes for 171 yards (10.7 avg) with 1 TD grab despite playing at way less than 100%.  Breaston has caught 12 passes for 177 yards (14.8 avg) and he has also returned 3 punts for 13 yards (4.3 avg) this season.  For the Cardinals to give Kurt Warner the best chance to help the team win he needs both Boldin and Breaston healthy as it gives him a lot of good options in the passing game.  Teams will also pay for doubling Larry Fitzgerald if everyone is healthy.