Today we will be looking at the matchups between the Texans and the Raiders. This will be the 5th consecutive time they will meet in the regular season with the Texans holding a 4-1 advantage. The Texans won last year's meeting 29-6. This year's matchup will be strength against strength as the number 4 offense overall (Houston) goes against the number 2 defense overall (Oakland). Let's take a look at the matchups and give my prediction for the game.
Raiders Offense vs. Texans Defense
The Raiders offense comes into this game with more and more confidence every week. They currently rank 10th overall and 4th in rushing. They also have the most trips inside their opponents 20 this year with 13. The problem is they have only converted 3 times for touchdowns. That is going to be an area that the coaches will try and correct this week. Houston, meanwhile, is currently ranked 31st overall in total defense and dead last against the pass. They are 2nd in the league against the run, but part of that is due to teams they played abandoning the running game early on. The teams that Houston has played so far (Cowboys, Redskins, Colts) all rank in the bottom 8 in rushing/game with an average all under 82 yards/game. The Texans should get a good test this week to get a barometer of where they are defensively. The Raiders passing game should have a big day.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Texans Offense
The Raiders defense has benefited from the Raiders offense being on the field for the majority of games. They have one of the best time of possession in the NFL. With that being said, they are very talented and the reason they get more time with the ball is because the defense is keeping their opponents off the field with three and outs. One thing that is going to sway this matchup is whether or not Andre Johnson decides to play. Right now he is a game-time decision. Andre Johnson is their entire passing game. Nnamdi played extremely well against Fitzgerald last week only allowing one catch. Nnamdi has handled Johnson in every meeting. If Johnson can't play, Nnamdi has the luxury of lining up against a much lesser opponent, as will each of the other corners/safeties. The Texans do have a tremendous running game with Arian Foster who currently leads the NFL in rushing yards. At this point I'll base my decision on Johnson deciding to suit up.
Advantage: Texans
Special Teams
The Raiders main blemish last week in the loss to the Cardinals was Janikowski's two missed field goals under 45 yards with the last one being a 32-yarder for the win. They also allowed the opening kickoff to be returned for a TD. They are still the better group with the Texans in the bottom half of the league in return average on kickoffs and punt average/punt return average given up. There aren't many teams in the league that have as good of special teams as the Raiders.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction:
Texans 27, Raiders 21
What are your thoughts on the matchups? Post your thoughts here.
the matchup i worry about is who ever on our offensive line has to block mario williams. he is a beast and we will have to get some help over to his side. i like nnamdi against johnson other than johnson has a big size advantage. i have a feeling they will move johnson around to try to avoid that matchup and will try and use johnsons size to their advantage.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mario Williams will be a problem, but who hasn't been from that side this year? I think the offense has learned that they can't rely on the left side getting blocked and just deal with it. Nnamdi is being moved around this year. He played on both sides last week against Fitzgerald and Johnson is not too much better. He has faced him every year the past four years so he is used to it. Nnamdi will shadow Johnson all day if he plays, no matter what side he lines up on.
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