Entering Week 3, the Texans led the NFL in scoring (64 points) and total offense (881 yards), but the Dallas Cowboys held their in-state rivals in check. The Texans didn’t reach the end zone until just over a minute left in the game and finished with just 13 points. The Cowboys also held Houston to only 241 yards through the first 56 minutes before giving up some non-consequential yardage late.
Getting back on track offensively will be no easy task this week against a Raiders team boasting the NFL’s No. 3 ranked defense.
The Raiders blew an excellent opportunity to improve to 2-1 last week. They out-gained the Arizona Cardinals by 137 yards, but they still came up one-point short. Three missed field goals by Sebastian Janikowski, including a 32-yard chip shot as time expired, really hurt Oakland.
Houston has had the upper hand in this series, winning three of the last four meetings. Last year, the Texans put a 29-6 whooping on the Raiders, but NFL odds makers are expecting a much closer game this time around. They have listed the Texans as a three-point favorite with the total set at 43.
Last season, the Texans were able to take advantage of an Oakland defensive unit that finished the year ranked 27th in total defense. However, this year’s Raiders are only allowing 260.7 yards per game.
After throwing two interceptions last week, quarterback Matt Schaub must do a better job of taking care of the football against star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and company. In the last three meetings in this series, Asomugha has limited star wide receiver Andre Johnson to only five catches for 94 yards and zero touchdowns.
Asomugha could enjoy more success covering Johnson Sunday, as Johnson has been bothered by an ankle inju...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
