3 Bold Predictions: Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans – Week 7
By Sion Fawkes
Watt and Hopkins will score
You can’t call this one a homecoming, exactly, since it’s taking place on the west coast. However, J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins will be facing the Texans for the first time in their careers. They traded Hopkins to the Cardinals in a lopsided trade during the 2020 offseason for the ailing David Johnson. Then Watt signed with the Cardinals in 2021, surprising the entire league.
Not every future Hall of Famer or former franchise cornerstone has played well as a member of the Cardinals in the past. Emmitt Smith had a nightmare of a performance against his former team back in 2003, and he’s one of a few you can place here.
But Hopkins remains in the middle of his prime and is Kyler Murray‘s most reliable target. Watt is past his prime, but he’s still one of the league’s best. Coming into the game, he ranks 12th among 122 qualifying defensive linemen, with a 77.3 grade on Pro Football Focus.
Look for the duo to make a statement against their former team, with Hopkins bringing in one through the air and Watt taking a fumble to the house. The Cardinals have evolved into one of the league’s best teams, and Watt and Hopkins have played a substantial role.