Game Overview ::
By >> Mike johnson
- This is a matchup between arguably the league’s worst offense (Las Vegas) and the best defense (Houston).
- Houston has won seven of their last eight games, while the Raiders are on an eight game losing streak.
- Raiders QB Geno Smith was a full participant in practice Wednesday after missing Week 15, setting the stage for him to return to the lineup in this daunting matchup.
- The Texans have some injuries in their backfield and on defense that will need to be monitored prior to Sunday.
JM’S JOURNAL ::
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How las vegas Will Try To Win ::
The Raiders are in the midst of a lost season with a roster that simply does not work. Las Vegas has lost eight straight and has a 2-12 record with only three weeks left in the season. The Raiders have scored over 20 points only three times in 14 games, while averaging only 10.7 points per game over the last six weeks and averaging a putrid 192 yards from scrimmage during that stretch. For reference, the worst offense outside of Las Vegas is the Titans who average 250 yards per game. Said another way, the Raiders offense over the last six weeks has been 25% worse than the next worst offense in the NFL. This week they face the Texans defense, who ranks second in the NFL in defensive DVOA, third in yards per play allowed, and first in scoring defense. Houston has held 10 of 14 opponents below 300 total yards and 12 of 14 opponents to 20 points or less. The dire outlook for the Raiders is highlighted by their 12-point team total while playing in a dome, something that I can’t remember ever seeing.
The scary thing about the offensive ineptitude of the Raiders is that they have spent massive draft capital the last two seasons on their offensive skill players, selecting both RB Ashton Jeanty and TE Brock Bowers in the top-10 of their respective drafts. Both players are plenty talented and capable, but the team’s dysfunction is not to be overcome. The Raiders have the worst offensive line in the league and are unable to protect the quarterback or open holes in the running game. They rank 31st in adjusted line yards per carry and have allowed the most sacks in the league. The Texans defense ranks 9th in the league in sacks despite a relatively blitz rate thanks to elite play from their defensive front and a lock-down secondary that gives QBs very few options. The Texans are a defense that makes moving the ball very difficult on a down-to-down basis and makes offenses work for every yard. The Raiders are an offense that struggles on a down-to-down basis and averages the fewest plays per game in the league thanks to their inability to sustain drives. This section of our breakdowns is usually about how teams will try to win, but survival is a better term for the Raiders this week with very little chance of doing so.
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