The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Houston Texans 31-5 at State Farm Stadium.

They improve to 7-0, matching the best start in franchise history.

After a difficult first quarter for the offense, the Cardinals came alive and scored 31 unanswered points to put away the now 1-6 Texans. 

Quarterback Kyler Murray got roughed up a bit in the first quarter and needed a visit to the blue tent. But, for the rest of the game, he was himself. 

He fed all of his targets and made some eye-popping plays like this one:

He finished 20 of 28 for 261 yards and three touchdowns. He also had his first interception since Week 3, but it resulted in no points.

Tight end Zach Ertz had three catches and scored his first Cardinals touchdown in his team debut. The stadium was rocking as he crossed the goal line on a 47-yard score in the third quarter.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins led the Cardinals with seven grabs against his former team. He also scored a touchdown.

The Cardinals gained 397 total net yards with 172 coming from the run. 

They averaged 4.6 yards per carry as a team led by running back Chase Edmonds' 81 yards. 

Arizona’s defense allowed just 160 total net yards and eight first downs and Houston was 2-for-13 on third down.

Edge rusher Markus Golden had two sacks for the second straight game. He also forced a fumble and recovered it.

J.J. Watt had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in his first game against his former team.

Arizona takes on the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in Week 8 at State Farm Stadium. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason