Official Texans vs. Raiders Playoff Game Thread, 1/07/2017

[Arky]

The NFL playoff season is upon us and the 9-7 Texans will be hosting a Wild Card game this Saturday @ NRG. The opponent is the 12-4 Oakland Raiders. The Raiders will be without QB Derek Carr (leg fracture) and whether Matt McGloin (sore shoulder) or rookie Connor Cook will start is still up in the air - might see both during the game. Expect to see quite a bit of rushing from the Raiders with Latavius Murray (788 yds, 4.0 avg), Jalen Richard (491 yds, 5.9 avg) and DeAndre Washington (467 yds, 5.4 avg) carrying the load. The two main targets in the passing game are Amari Cooper (1153 yds, 13.9 avg) and Michael Crabtree (1003 yds, 11.3 avg). Many more are available including TE Clive Walford (359 yds, 10.9 avg). The Raider defense is 26th giving up 375.1 yds/game but they have a few stars: LB Malcolm Smith leads the team in tackles with 103. DE Khalil Mack has 11 sacks and LB Bruce Irvin has 7. The Raider defense gives up 24.1 pts/game (20th). Overall the defense is last (32nd) in sacks with 25 but where they really shine is causing turnovers: 2nd in takeaways with 30 for an excellent give/take of +16 (tied for 1st) - obviously, the Texans will have to find a way to deal with this opportunistic defense.....

The Texans will have to depend on their own defense to keep the Raiders in check. The Texan defense finished #1 giving up 301.3 yds/game. However, they were 11th allowing 20.5 pts/game and are not particularly good at creating turnovers (26th w/17). The Texans major weakness is their offense rating bottom 5 in many categories. They won't blow you out and if they don't turn the ball over, their defense can keep them in the game with just about anybody. QB Brock Osweiler is expected to start. If he struggles, the Texans may turn to either Tom Savage (if Savage passes the concussion protocol) or Brandon Weeden.

These two teams met in Mexico City in Week 11 with the Raiders winning 27-20.

The Texans are 7-1 (4-3-1 ATS) at home; the Raiders are 6-2 (6-2 ATS) on the road.

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TV = ESPN (possibly ABC), Saturday, 3:35 pm CST, 1/07/17

Announcers = (probably) Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden

The line = Texans by 3½ to 4

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Other playoff action:

NBC - Saturday, 7:15 pm CST, Detroit @ Seattle

CBS - Sunday, 12:05 pm CST, Miami @ Pittsburgh

FOX - Sunday, 3:40 pm CST, New York Giants @ Green Bay