The Las Vegas Raiders visit the Houston Texans on Sunday. Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. PT. Here are five keys to an upset win:
Score something:
The Raiders’ offense is pathetic. They have been shutout twice including in Week 15 and are ranked dead last in the NFL, averaging 244 yards a game. This is a bad matchup. Houston’s defense is the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL, allowing 269 yards a game. nd it can easily blank the Raiders. Las Vegas has to find a way get going on offense and making this yet another blowout loss. Frankly, it won’t be easy against this Houston team that has won six straight games.
Block better:
The Raiders have allowed four or more sacks in six straight games. They have allowed a league-high 53 sacks this season. Now, they have to deal with a swarming Houston pass-rush led by stars Will Anderson a d Danielle Hunter. The Texans have 38 sacks, the seventh most in the league. So, yes, it could be another long day for Las Vegas’ offensive line.
Stop Schultz:
Against Philadelphia last week, the Raiders’ defense was gutted by tight end Dallas Goedert. He had six catches for 70 yards and he had two touchdowns. They will be playing another hot tight end as Houston’s Dalton Schultz is coming off a game in which he had eight catches for 76 yards and a score. Surely, the Houston will try to exploit the Raiders’ defense with Schultz.
Get to Stroud:
Las week, Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts did whatever he wanted to against the Raiders and he came into the game struggling. Houston’s quarterback C.J. Stroud is hot, so he’s dangerous. The Raiders hardly put any pressure on Hurts. That can’t happen in this game.
Solve third-down woes:
The Raiders must figure out how to solve their third-down issues. It’s been brutal. Over the course of the past three games, the Raiders have converted just eight of 29 third-down attempts and on defense, they have allowed a whopping 29 of 42 attempts. What a recipe to get clobbered by the time-of-possession game.
See More:
