Texans vs. Cardinals: Vote for the Week 10 player of the game

We have a good list of candidates for player of the game this week. The Arizona Cardinals beat the Houston Texans behind great second-half defensive play and timely offensive success.

The 27-24 final score was not indicative of how the game went. While the first half was very closely contested, the Cardinals (5-4) defense emerged from the break on fire, forcing four straight punts -- including two three-and-outs to start the third quarter.

The offense did just enough to fend off the Texans (2-7), whose defense did all it could but faltered when it was needed most.

Here are the candidates. Who is it going to be this week?

Andre Roberts

Stats: 5 receptions, 72 yards, 14.4 YPC, 1 TD

This was easily Andre Roberts' best game of the season. His receptions and yards are both the second-most he's recorded this season, and the touchdown was his first since Week 7 of last season.

He played most of the game in place of Michael Floyd, who left early with a sprained shoulder.

Daryl Washington

Stats: 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended, 2 QB hits

Daryl Washington played the run and the pass well on Sunday. He was instrumental in holding running back Ben Tate in check, and he was inches from at least one sack of quarterback Case Keenum.

We know Washington is among the best inside linebackers at his position in the league, and he showed why against the Texans.

Carson Palmer

Stats: 20 of 32 (62.5%), 241 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 93.4 passer rating

Yes, Carson Palmer threw an interception, but it really wasn't his fault. He had a one-on-one with Rob Housler being covered by rookie safety D.J. Swearinger, and instead of going up to get the jump ball, Housler allowed Swearinger to get it.

Other than that blip, Palmer was efficient and accurate all afternoon. He took only one sack and eluded pressure on numerous occasions. It looks as though the offense is coming to him, and it couldn't come at a better time.

He also became the 36th quarterback to throw at least 200 touchdowns in the NFL when he connected with Housler in the second quarter.

John Abraham

Stats: 2 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 tackle for loss, 2 QB hits

"Mr. 100" added to his sack total on Sunday, taking down Keenum twice and nearly adding a third. He beat right tackle Derek Newton in a flash and knocked the ball free on his way by the Houston signal-caller on the first play of the game, leading to a Matt Shaughnessy fumble recovery for a touchdown.

That set the tone for a good day from the veteran, and he and the defense would be in Keenum's face for much of the afternoon.

Rob Housler

Stats: 4 receptions, 57 yards, 14.3 YPC, 1 TD

We talked about his misread on Palmer's interception, but other than that mistake, Housler played a solid game. Considering he (finally) scored his first career NFL touchdown, one could consider it the best game of his three-year career.

It came on the heels of the Jake Ballard signing, so maybe Housler has been given the motivation needed to get better -- he played through an ankle injury that has slowed him for some weeks now.