Arizona Cardinals Rout Houston Texans 32-0 in Preseason Opener
By Scott Allen
Aug 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) scores a 5 yard touchdown as quarterback Drew Stanton (5) celebrates and Houston Texans strong safety Chris Clemons (20) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
It’s the preseason. I’m just getting that out there. I am aware of this. It’s only game number one of the preseason. I know this too. That being said, what the Arizona Cardinals did to the Houston Texans on Saturday night at University of Phoenix Stadium was impressive, preseason or not in the 32-0 victory.
The good: The quarterbacks. Starter Carson Palmer went 5-5 for 84 yards and a touchdown pass to receiver Larry Fitzgerald. It was certainly one of smoother drives I’ve seen from Palmer since he joined the Cardinals last season. His only drive started by being lit up for a seven yard sack by the Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. After that it was all Cards. Palmer quickly put the Cards up 7-0 and that was his night.
The bad: Houston. Top to bottom, they did not look like the improved team many expected them to be. Starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick went 6-14 for 55 yards and two interceptions. He was intercepted by Cards cornerback Antonio Cromartie on the second drive of the game.
The ugly: Too many penalties – from both teams. Houston had 13 penalties for 126 yards and the Cards had 10 for 89 yards. And those are just the ones that weren’t declined. Hopefully the Cards will be able to clean some of that up going into next week at Minnesota.
The bottom line: It’s early and the game ultimately doesn’t count but after this one, you have to be even more excited for what the Cards will be able to do this season. The quarterbacks went 27-34 for 326 yards and three touchdowns, no interceptions. First team, second team, third team…it didn’t matter. The Cards dominated this one. It certainly better to be on the winning end than the losing end of a game like this but in the end it’s just one preseason game not many will remember when they put on the pads for real in September.