NFL Week 16: Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders

Nnamdi Asomugha & the Oakland Raiders defense will have their hands full with the NFL Houston Texans’ No. 3 offense.

Texans vs. Raiders Overview:
The Houston Texans are coming off of the biggest win in their short history as they nudged out the hated Tennessee Titans for a thrilling victory in Reliant Stadium. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots and former Oakland Raiders WR Randy Moss came into the “Black Hole” and crushed the young team with an aerial attack. The Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders are both young teams but are moving in different directions. Fans with Houston Texans tickets will see if their team can continue their four-game winning streak in Oakland’s McAfee Stadium.

Houston Texans Offense:
Wide receiver Andre Johnson should be in the running for the NFL MVP and could be the most dominant player in the NFL. With the ability to draw double coverage on every play, Andre Johnson opens up the Houston Texans passing attack. TE Owen Daniels is an underrated playmaker in the flats and can move the chains. Rookie RB Steve Slaton has become a favorite of fans with Houston Texans tickets as he has already rushed for over 1,100 yards and can catch the ball as well. QB Matt Schaub seems to be healthy and excels at finding Andre Johnson deep.

Houston Texans Defense:
After struggling for most of the year, the Houston Texans defense has stepped up to the plate in recent games. DE Mario Williams takes over games, and his constant pass rush destroys the best offensive game plans. Even with a nagging injury, MLB DeMeco Ryans is the leader of the defense and will cross the century mark in tackles. After being flogged by fans with Houston Texans tickets all year, the Houston Texans secondary has become a solid crew with CBs Jacques Reeves and Dunta Robinson playing well in tandem with S Eugene Wilson.

Oakland Raiders Offense:
The Oakland Raiders’ excellent ground game has carried them to all their wins this season, and they have the ability to wear down defenses. RB trio Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush each fill a specific role behind the great run-blocking line of the Oakland Raiders. QB JeMarcus Russell has the best arm in football and needs a true weapon to emerge in the receiving corps. TE Zach Miller is turning in a great year, and the Oakland Raiders two-TE sets have proven to be their strongest offensive formations.

Oakland Raiders Defense:
The Oakland Raiders boast two fine young LBs with Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison. This tandem gives a good foundation to build around, and the crew has intense aggression to go with impeccable speed. The Oakland Raiders defensive line is stout as well, with DT Tommy Kelly being the headliner from the three-technique spot. DE Kalimba Edwards is the leading pass rusher and makes a good tandem with DE Derrick Burgess when both are healthy. CB Nnamdi Asomugha and S Gibril Wilson could be two of the top players at their positions in the NFL.

Houston Texans Keys To Victory:
The Oakland Raiders defense is strong against the pass but usually gives up big plays in that area. Though fans with Houston Texans tickets can look forward to a few deep bombs to WR Andre Johnson, the game will be won with the legs of RB Steve Slaton. The Oakland Raiders’ inability to stop the run has been their downfall, and fans with Houston Texans tickets know that the explosive burst of Steve Slaton could easily rip them wide open. Steve Slaton’s heart and effort should enable him to get massive yards-after-contact numbers. QB Matt Schaub will have a field day off of play-action.

With no discernable threat to the outside, the Houston Texans defense can focus on stuffing the run. The Houston Texans were able to wrangle in the rushing attack of the Tennessee Titans with constant blitzes, and fans with Houston Texans tickets can expect a hail storm of LBs in the backfield. S Eugene Wilson will be tested the most as he will have responsibility covering TE Zach Miller on most routes. Without a passing attack on the outside to worry about, the Houston Texans DBs will be able to blitz often and should find plenty of shots on the running backs.

Oakland Raiders Game Plan:
Quarterback JeMarcus Russell needs to show the arm that got him drafted No. 1 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Houston Texans will try to take away the running game, and a few deep balls could take their safeties out of the box. In the running game, the Oakland Raiders must target the DTs of the Houston Texans, the front seven’s biggest weakness. Pushing the line back into the lap of MLB DeMeco Ryans will enable speed demons Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas to get up field. TE Zach Miller needs to continue his awesome play to help open up the field.

The Houston Texans passing offense is powered by the play of WR Andre Johnson. CB Nnamdi Asomugha is a great press-coverage player, and he has to jam Andre Johnson at the line. If Nnamdi Asomugha can shut out Andre Johnson, then the rest of the defense can focus on Steve Slaton. Getting penetration is the only way to stuff the small running back as he is deadly in open space. DT Tommy Kelly has to earn his huge paycheck by getting into the backfield and keeping blockers off of MLB Kirk Morrison and OLB Thomas Howard. SS Gibril Wilson needs to be a big factor.

Texans vs. Raiders Outlook:
Fans with Houston Texans tickets are seeing the team making history on their winning streak. With a 7-7 record, one more win will set a franchise record. With this on the line, the Houston Texans will be playing at full tilt when they take the field in Oakland. The Oakland Raiders’ roster is filled with talent, but it has largely been injured or misused. The coaching problems have not done the Oakland Raiders any favors either. Fans with Oakland Raiders tickets never give up on their team and the “Black Hole” of McAfee Stadium will be a rocking crowd advantage.

The Houston Texans have never had momentum like this before, and they will carry it with them on the road. The duo of Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson is enough to terrorize any defense, let alone one in relative shambles like that of the Oakland Raiders. Even in front of 60,000 fans in Silver and Black, the Houston Texans will be the single strongest force in McAfee Stadium. Fans with Houston Texans tickets who want to see team history will be making plenty of noise for their team, even on the road. Order premium Houston Texans tickets from OnlineTickets.com today!