The reason for this was obvious as the Texans starters excelled against the Cardinals, a team coming off a 13-3 season (which was also their third straight double digit winning season). It remains to be seen if the Cardinals keep two or three quarterbacks.
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With head coach Bill O’Brien already saying Osweiler will have an increased workload, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, it’s fair to conclude this will represent our best chance to get a feel for this new-look offense.
He said quarterback Carson Palmer and tight end Darren Fells both were at fault in the interception that was returned for a touchdown. Obviously, you guys know better than me, you can go back through the history of this league, 4 and 0 in the preseason doesn’t necessarily always translate to great records in the regular season.
Siemian was more impressive than his stat line – 10 of 17 for 122 yards, one TD and one arguable interception – showing off his strong right arm and just the kind of patience, poise and precision required of Peyton Manning’s successor as Denver defends its Super Bowl title. Fells was the intended receiver on a screen pass, with lots of open space in front of him.
Palmer attempted to tackle Simon after the interception and was tackled by 305-pound defensive end Devon Still, a hit that knocked the quarterback’s helmet off. Arians had seen enough after that hit, and Palmer was replaced by Drew Stanton. He has been slow to recover from a concussion he suffered early in camp.
Osweiler threw for 146 yards and a touchdown and Houston intercepted two of Carson Palmer’s passes to help the Texans improve to 3-0 in the preseason.
Osweiler gave way to Tom Savage midway through the second quarter. They reduced the roster down to 77 players with 11 cuts.
Jenkins, an eight-year veteran who played the last two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was signed by the Cardinals on July 19. They figure to be the team’s surest -and safest- path to victory, as they’ll give Palmer less to do while simultaneously keeping the defense off the field.
The other player in the mix, Mike Jenkins, is out for the season after tearing an ACL in the Cardinals’ 34-24 loss at Houston on Sunday.
Perhaps we’re making a mountain out of a molehill with Palmer. And Palmer did struggle last preseason too, for what it’s worth.
The Texans defense isn’t ideal, but sometimes they come pretty close.
The Cardinals have high expectations this year, and will look to win the NFC West over the Seattle Seahawks for the second year in a row.
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Panthers coach Ron Rivera had always been a big proponent of Hill’s deep threat ability.
