Raiders vs Texans NFL Week 7 prediction: Is it a must-win game for Las Vegas?
.JPG "Spectators stand during the national anthem before an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas.")
The Raiders are back after the bye week. So are the Houston Texans.
It’s a battle of one-win teams Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. in Las Vegas.
The Raiders’ first five games were close, including a 30-29 loss to the Chiefs ahead of the bye.
It continues to be the case that the Raiders are a few plays away here and there from being 5-0. Instead, they are 1-4, with the lone win coming in Week 4 at home against the Broncos.
Perhaps that is what the Raiders need: More home cooking to get them started as they hope to string a win streak.
The Texans, however, will not be an easy stepping stone. They, too, are hoping to get things going. The Texans are coming off a 13-6 victory over the Jaguars.
The Raiders need to start fast to try to put a game away for a change. Riding the hot hand of running back Josh Jacobs, who’s been dominant in the five games he’s played this season, is a good place to start.
Jacobs is third in the league in rushing yards with 490, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He’s also second in the league among rushers with 26 first downs. He’s been a force for the Raiders, with back-to-back games of 140-plus rushing yards, joining Bo Jackson (1989) and Marcus Allen (1985).
The Raiders’ offense is 10th in the NFL, averaging 360.6 yards per game, while the Texans are 30th (291.2). The Texans are also 30th in defense, giving up 414.2 yards per game. The Raiders are 21st (359.2).
Injury report
Raiders TE Darren Waller (hamstring) was ruled out of Sunday’s game. WR Hunter Renfrow (hip) is listed as questionable, as well as WR Mack Hollins (heel) and LB Jayon Brown (hamstring).
The Texans will be without LB Jonathan Greenard (calf). Those questionable include WR Chris Moore (hip), OL Austin Deculus (ankle) and TE Brevin Jordan (ankle).
Line and over/under
The Raiders are seven-point favorites by FanDuel SportsBook. The over/under is at 45.5.
How to watch on TV
The game will be shown on CBS and can be streamed on all ESPN apps.
Analysis
Might as well look at this game as a must-win for the Raiders. ... They cannot afford another loss, certainly not to another one-win team. This next handful of games will determine where the Raiders will go from here in terms of playoff contention. ... We’ve said before that the Raiders have the talent needed to produce a successful season. That’s not materialized, so far, but these upcoming games appear very winnable and the Raiders need to take advantage of that, starting with a game at home. ... The Raiders will be without CB Nate Hobbs, who was placed on the short-term IR because of a hand injury. ... The Raiders, however, will have CB Anthony Averett back after he missed a month because of a hand injury. ... The Raiders’ defense needs to get after Texans QB Davis Mills, and DE Maxx Crosby comes into the game with six sacks. ... DE Chandler Jones also has been disruptive in the pass rush, and even the run game, but still has no sacks. Could his first come Sunday? ... Las Vegas also will need to focus on stopping RB Dameon Pierce and WR Brandin Cooks. ... We believe the Raiders will be on a mission in this game, fully aware that the season hangs in the balance..
Prediction: Raiders 37, Texans 17
This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 2:11 PM.
