Countdown to Paydirt: Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Texans
On Sunday, the Houston Texans (1-2) will try to avenge their 27-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders (1-2) from last season. In 2008, the Texans went into Oakland trying to extend to a franchise best five game-winning streak. But receivers Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens shined during the Raiders revival as the season wound down.
The Silver & Black has lost three of the four meetings in the short history of this series.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
On Offense:
The Raiders have anticipated Schilens’ arrival for some weeks now. But it appears now that the receiver will miss another game as he recovers from the broken bone in his left foot that he sustained during the pre-season. JaMarcus Russell’s favorite receiver practiced and went through drills, but his designated as ‘doubtful’ by Tom Cable.
Oakland needs as much talent around Russell right now, as he is currently slumping with a league worst 39.8 passer rating. And one former Raider has pinpointed some of the issues in Oakland with his recent comments.
“When you put him on the field in a one-on-one workout session [Russell] make every throw for you,” said Jeff Garcia who was signed by the Raiders this off-season and spent a lot of the summer in the same practice field working along side the former first overall pick before he was released. “But when it comes down to making things happen in the heat of the battle and rallying the troops around you and making a case for the team, that’s where maybe things aren’t where they need to be.”
He also commented on other issues regarding the club, stating: “It was to a point where I felt like guys who walked through those doors that just were there to collect a check and not really interested in putting everything that they had within themselves on to the football field. And that was the frustrating thing for me to see.”
“There were a lot of good young guys in that locker room who really want to do whatever it takes to win, but unfortunately it’s not everybody,” Garcia continued. “In order to compete at this level in this game, everybody needs to be on board.”
What to Expect:
The Texans are made to order for the Raiders. Oakland needs to get back to running the football and establishing Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas as the spearheads to this offense. Russell needs the help and a powerful running game to help him get out of his funk. The Texans are allowing a league worst 205 yards rushing per game. If Oakland cannot run against them, this game could get ugly.
On Defense:
The rush defense has completely collapsed since their impressive first half outing in week-one versus the Chargers. Oakland is allowing 155 yards on the ground per game and now faces a team with a very capable rusher who will try to breakout after a slow start to his season.
In the last two-contests, the Texans have racked up 420 and 397 total yards respectively and they’ll try to take advantage of the Raiders woes versus the run. Cable realizes how important it is to stuff their ground game early, stating, “We’re similar that way. So you want to get started fast. I think it probably bodes well for whichever team can get going soonest.”
What to Expect:
Pressure must be applied to the Texans offense – no excuses. The Raiders need to get to Matt Schaub and force some mistakes. So far, the Texans’ passer has only 2 interceptions and been sacked a league low 2 times. If Greg Ellis, Richard Seymour and the rest of the front-four cannot get to Schaub, he’ll carve up the Raiders’ secondary. Oakland will probably allow Steve Slaton to get his yardage, but if Schaub gets going himself, this Houston team will put up 30-points or more.
On Special Teams:
Justin Miller is back on the team. And deservingly, after Louis Rankin and Jonathan Holland were non-threats on kickoffs. The former New York Jet energized the return teams last season upon his arrival, but this summer was released in favor of other return men. “Sometimes it’s really not about you as a person,” he stated of his release. “It’s kind of what fits for the team at that point of time. You just take it in stride and be ready for the next opportunity.”
HOUSTON TEXANS
On Offense:
Schaub is enjoying a solid start to his season, recording the 4th best passer rating in the league (101.9), the 8th most passing yards in the NFL (823) and a solid touchdown to interception ratio, (7TD only 2 INT).
But what he would like is for 2nd year pro Steve Slaton to get going. Houston is only averaging 70 yards a game on the ground, with Slaton rushing for 127 yards on 38 carries. Seventy-six of those yards came last week, and at this point, the Texans may be catching the Raiders at the right moment in trying to jolt their ground game.
One of the league’s best players – Andre Johnson – has started his season well. The 28-year old target has 18 catches for 270 yards and 2 scores.
What to Expect:
Many are pointing to this game as an important one for head coach Gary Kubiak. The team was expected to take a step up this season and a loss at home to the Raiders could really put the target on his back. So expect this offense to open up the playbook, attack all levels of the Raider defense and come out firing. If Slaton is churning out yardage, then Schaub will be efficient. If they cannot run the ball, Oakland will stick around and make things interesting.
On Defense:
Kubiak has talked about his unhappiness regarding the pass rush. He would like to see his front-four get to the opposing passer more often, and more importantly, he wants to see the Texans front-seven improve upon the league’s worst 205 rushing yards allowed per game.
Oakland can run it. And the Texans know it.
More importantly though, they would like continue Russell’s woes by getting to him when he drops back and covering his inexperienced targets.
Bernard Pollard was signed recently and he could see his first action against the Raiders. “We’re just not consistent [in the secondary],” coach Gary Kubiak mentioned. “We’re searching for some answers. We’re playing a lot of people back there. We’re going to continue to do that. We’re going to give some more guys some opportunities.”
What to Expect:
It’s time for Mario Williams to have a coming out party. He was shut-down by Mario Henderson last season and if the Texans want to continue to derail Russell’s season, they will need to rattle him with pressure and not allow break downs in the secondary, as the Raiders have had problems getting anything going consistent via the passing attack.
GAME NOTES
- Robert Gallery is out (fibula) as well as WR Nick Miller (shin). Hiram Eugene is questionable with his calf injury.
- The league fined Richard Seymour $7,500 for pulling Ryan Clady’s hair last Sunday.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Mario vs. Mario
LT Mario Henderson will need to have a second straight solid game versus DE Mario Williams if Oakland wants an upset victory on the road. “It was a good game for me to see where I was at,” Henderson said of his performance last season against Williams, “and it was a good feeling, too, to know that I can play.”
Which run defense plays toughest?
Both defenses are struggling against the run. Which one will play with more intensity, which one will play physical and which one will ultimately slow the other’s attack?
PREDICTION
Texans 31 – Raiders 17
TV & RADIO
The game will be televised on CBS with Gus Johnson providing play-by-play and former NFL player Steve Tasker handling color analysis. The game will air locally on KPIX Channel 5. The game will also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13 as well as on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black’s Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 12th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KSFO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited from official Raiders web site)
GAME INFO
Sunday, October 4, 2009, 1 p.m. ET | Reliant Stadium, TX
Home Team: Houston Texans (1-2) Home: 0-2 Road: 1-0
Road Team: Oakland Raiders (1-2) Home: 0-2 Road: 1-0
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
Tom Cable calls horrible plays! Russell is a piece of crap! They need to get a new quarterback and they need a new offensive line. Does the raiders defense believe in blitzing? The texans quarterback had too much time to throw the ball. I love the raiders but we need help!