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5 takeaways by defense big key to win over Cards

If you force five turnovers, good things happen.

The Texans defense came up with a quintet of takeaways in Sunday's 34-24 victory over Arizona, harrasing the Cardinals offense at various points throughout the win.

"That's what you're trying to coach," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "You're trying to coach taking the ball away. So the more we can do that, the better we're going to be as a team."

The Texans came away with four interceptions and one fumble recovery. Safety Andre Hal picked off Carson Palmer on the third play from scrimmage, and Houston capitalized with a 1-yard Lamar Miller touchdown run just five plays later. 

"That's what we expect from our defense, to go out and make the plays," linebacker Jadeveon Clowney said. "Win the game. Whatever it takes to win the game that is what we are to do every week, week in and week out." 

Outside linebacker John Simon picked off the second pass of the day at the start of the second quarter, intercepting Palmer and coasting 59 yards for a touchdown. 

"We're really stressing it at practice, creating turnovers and attacking the ball and things of that sort," Simon said. "So far in the preseason, we've been able to do that, but we're going to have to carry it into the regular season, because that's when it counts."

Fellow linebacker Whitney Mercilus was impressed with Simon's quickness and breakaway speed.

"We've seen him move pretty quickly on the field," Mercilus said. "He was pushing it on all cylinders, maxing out that tank, and definitely got the touchdown, so it was good."

Brennan Scarlett strip-sacked Matt Barkley in the third quarter, and Joel Heath recovered for the Texans. Terrance Mitchell and Shakeel Rashad added interceptions later in the half.

The Texans wrap up the preseason on Thursday night against the Cowboys in Arlington.

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Check out the best photos during #TexansGameday vs. the Cardinals.

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