Raiders vs. Texans Predictions

This week's game will feature a couple of up and coming teams. The Texans stand at 3-1 and look to be considered one of the top teams in the AFC with the fall of the Colts and Steelers. They have long been touted as the next team to turn the corner and make it to the playoffs. After years of disappointment, this year might be the year. As for the Raiders, they are still trying to make a name for themselves once again by building a team the late Al Davis covets: size up the middle, and speed on the outside. The Texans are coming off an impressive victory against the Steelers while the Raiders are looking to rebound from a poor performance against the Patriots last week. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Texans Defense

The Raiders offense gashed the Patriots last week for 504 yards of total offense but were done in by a few mistakes in the red zone. They will try and keep up their success in the running game, currently leading the NFL with 178.8 yards/game. The Texans will try and keep the Raiders from scoring touchdowns as they know it will be extremely difficult to limit the yards that the Raiders can accumulate. The Texans are currently fourth in the league in scoring defense at 17.5 points allowed per game. The Raiders will be playing with a lot of emotion after the passing of longtime owner Al Davis this weekend.

Advantage: Raiders

Raiders Defense vs. Texans Offense

The Raiders have found it very difficult to stop teams from scoring at will on them early in the season. One positive thing to lean on this week to try and stop that trend is that the Texans will be without their star receiver Andre Johnson. The Texans will focus on their zone rushing scheme with a healthy Arian Foster, who ran rough-shod on the Raiders last year to the tune of 133 yards. The key for the Raiders on defense will be to settle down and not let their emotions get the better of them like it did last week against the Patriots. They need to force the Texans into third and long situations so that they can pin their ears back and rush the passer. We'll see if the Raiders will also utilize some more blitz packages, of which Davis was not a fan of.

Advantage: Texans

Special Teams

The Texans have a good return game to contend with, currently sixth in the NFL in both Kickoff Returns and Punt Returns. The Raiders are still trying to get on track with the return of Jacoby Ford. Janikowski will utilize his strong leg in getting touchbacks on kickoffs and Lechler will attempt to change field position while pinning the Texans deep into their own territory.

Advantage: Raiders

Prediction: Raiders 24, Texans 21