Houston Texans vs Oakland Raiders preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info
By Wes Goldberg
Oakland Raiders vs Houston Texans
The Houston Texans (1-0) will visit the Oakland Raiders (0-1) at the O.co Coliseum Sunday, and Raiders fans will be excited for rookie quarterback Derek Carr. Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, perhaps the most dominating defensive player in the NFL, won’t make it easy for Carr or running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 14
Start Time: 4:25 PM
Location: Oakland, California
Stadium: O.Co Coliseum
TV Info: CBS
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: SiriusXM Radio
Ticket Information: For Oakland Raiders ticket info click here. For Houston Texans ticket info click here.
Keys to Victory
The Texans will be able to control the Raiders’ offense with a steady pass rush and the presence of Watt, but they need to score themselves. In Week 1, the New York Jets rushed for 212 yards against Oakland’s defense, and Arian Foster should enjoy the same success. The Raiders will need to open up the offense a little more for Carr, who attempted just one pass more than 15 yards in the opening loss to the Jets.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: HOU -3
Moneyline: HOU -146
O/U: 39.5
Prediction
The Texans will go into Oakland and improve to 2-0. Watt and the rest of Houston’s defense will prove too much for Oakland’s offense, and the Texans will be able to ground and pound to a victory against the Raiders defense. Asking Jones-Drew to run against the Houston front, or Carr to throw the ball against that rush is too difficult a request. Meanwhile, Ryan Fitzpatrick should be able to manage the game behind Foster’s running.
Final Score: Houston Texans 16, Oakland Raiders 7