Raiders (3-3) at Texans (4-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Stadium, Houston
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Texans by 7
Raiders’ keys to victory: If given the choice at the opening coin toss, defer to the second half. The Texans have won four of their last six when deferring to the second half, and that dynamic allows Houston to overcome midgame deficits. The Raiders must develop the run game with RB Josh Jacobs. By presenting a more balanced attack, the Raiders will be able to keep Houston’s pass rush off balance and give QB Derek Carr a little more time to throw. Carr needs to take advantage of the banged-up Houston secondary.
Texans’ keys to victory: The secret to Houston’s offensive success has been protecting QB Deshaun Watson, who has been sacked just three times in the past three games. WR DeAndre Hopkins has to be worked into the game plan early in the game, and the Texans have to use the slot talents of WR Keke Coutee. K Ka’imi Fairbairn must improve, and DT D.J. Reader must generate interior pressure on the pass rush.
Matchup to watch: Raiders TE Darren Waller vs. Texans S Tashaun Gipson. The 6-6, 255pound Waller is the most prolific commodity in the Raiders’ passing game, and he will see his fair share of targets. However, shutting down tight ends is specifically why the Texans gave Gipson a three-year, $22.5 million contract in the offseason.
Who wins? The Texans have to keep pace with the Indianapolis Colts after dropping a Week 7 encounter. The Raiders are on the second week of a Central Time Zone road trip, as if back-to-back road games aren’t hard enough.
Texans, 27-23
ET, NRG