The Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders will square off for a Week 8 encounter at NRG Stadium.
Touchdown Wire’s Michael Colangelo foresees quarterback Deshaun Watson tearing the Raiders defense apart with another aerial onslaught, similar to what he did in Week 5, the last time the Texans were home and trounced the Atlanta Falcons 53-32 with the Pro Bowl field general slinging five touchdowns.
The Texans are coming off a divisional loss to Indy. They need to get back on track. The remedy for that is a visit from the Oakland Raiders, fresh from being dismantled by Aaron Rodgers. Look for a huge game by Deshaun Watson, multiple TD passes, one on the ground and 350 yards of total offense.
If the Texans are able to get that level of production from Watson, including a rushing touchdown, one would only assume the Texans came out on the winning end of that ledger.
One problem that has crept up since Watson’s last home game is he has chucked two interceptions in each of his last two road games. Though some of them have been due to passes going off receivers’ hands or defenders simply making great plays on the ball, it is a problem the Texans’ passing game needs to get corrected. The Texans are 4-3 and still in the chase for first place in their division. The Raiders are still looking up to the Kansas City Chiefs. Houston doesn’t need to be playing down to the level of Oakland, or they could get beat.
The Texans and Raiders face off at 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS. Oddsmakers have set the point total at 51.5. Only two times in series history have the Raiders and Texans combined for 50-plus points. If they break that barrier Sunday, it probably will be due to the field day from Watson.
