Pretty much everyone believes the Arizona Cardinals will defeat the Houston Texans in Week 7 in dominating fashion. As of Sunday morning, they were favored by 19.5 points, the largest spread in any game this season.
In a simulation of the game on Madden NFL 22, the Cardinals do dominate the Texans, but they do not cover the spread and the game is not perfect.
The simulation had the Cardinals beat the Texans 34-23, with Houston picking up a late touchdown in garbage time.
The Cardinals scored a touchdown on their first possession and then the Texans answered with one of their own but missed the point after.
The defense intercepted Davis Mills three times — one by Isaiah Simmons, one by Jordan Hicks and one by Byron Murphy — and built a 24-6 halftime lead.
A Kyler Murray pick-six pulled the Texans within 11 to 27-16 but then the Cardinals answered with a touchdown pass from Murray to new tight end Zach Ertz to make it 34-16.
The Texans had late touchdown, quarterback Davis Mills’ second touchdown pass of the game to make it 34-23, but the Cardinals recovered the onside kick and ran out the final four minutes of the game.
Murray completed 25-of-38 passes for 233 yards, three touchdowns and the pick-six. He also was the leading rusher with 47 yards on 11 attempts. Chase Edmonds had 12 carries for 44 yards an a touchdown, while James Conner had 28 yards in five attempts.
DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk and Ertz caught touchdown passes. Hopkins had seven catches for 75 yards, Kirk had seven for 65 and Ertz and three for 30.
The defense had the three interceptions but did not get any sacks in the simulation.
Murray was sacked twice.
For the Texans, Mills was 17-of-36 passing for 181 yards, two touchdowns and the three interceptions.
Mark Ingram rushed for 53 yards on 16 carries. Receiver Brandin Cooks had six receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, while tight end Jordan Akins had six catches for 58 yards and a score.
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