Great one game and bad the next. That seems to describe the Houston Texans as they have impressive wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, and also have disappointing losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. This week, the Texans host the Oakland Raiders, a team they just executed a mid-week trade with (for cornerback Gareon Conley). Will we see good Houston or bad Houston this weekend when the Raiders visit?

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Neither of these teams has created much separation either straight up (SU) or against the spread (ATS) this season. Oakland is 3-3 straight up and 3-3 against the spread heading in to Week 8. In their past 18 road games, the Raiders are just 3-15 SU and 4-13-1 ATS. Oakland is 1-2 in its first three road games of this season. The Raiders are also 2-8 ATS in their last eight October games.

Meanwhile, Houston is 4-3 SU and 4-3 ATS, but is 3-0 SU at home this season. They are 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven games following an ATS loss and 4-1 ATS in their last five October games. However, they’re not that reliable as a home favorite. They’re just 5-6 ATS and 6-5 SU in their last 11 as a home favorite of 3.5 to seven points.

Oakland Raiders

There wasn’t much that went right defensively for Oakland in a 42-24 loss to Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers torched them for a season-high 429 yards and five touchdowns. He didn’t have top wide receiver Davante Adams to throw the ball to in that game either but it didn’t matter. Considering the roster of weapons that Houston has the ability to roll out, the Raiders defense could be in tough again in this contest.

Meanwhile, Carr did his part throwing for 293 yards and two touchdowns while completing 22-of-28 pass attempts. However, a late turnover in the first half where he fumbled into the end zone just as Oakland was about to go ahead changed the complexion of the game.

The Raiders have been very competitive each week but you have to wonder just how much the travel has impacted them. This is now their fifth road game in a row as they played at Minnesota, at Indianapolis, versus Chicago in London, at Green Bay and now at Houston. We’ll find out how much they have left in the tank after this long road trip.

Houston Texans

Mistakes will be the focus in practice for Houston this week as they prepare for Sunday. Deshaun Watson threw for 308 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Indianapolis. However, he also threw two interceptions and he was sacked three times. The Texans struggled to establish the run against an improved Colts defense and it came back to haunt them. Oakland has the league’s fifth-ranked run defense, so this game could again be put Watson’s shoulders.

The good news for Houston is that the Raiders have allowed the second-most passing yards this season. They’ve really struggled to get to quarterbacks as their 10 sacks are just 28^th in the NFL. Typically, Houston struggles when Watson is under pressure but it looks like he’ll have plenty of time to operate here.

Meanwhile, the Houston defense has allowed 32, 24 and 30 points in its last three games. Their pass defense has been awful too, giving up the fourth-most passing yards. That means we could have a shootout on our hands and the team that makes one or two more stops is likely to win.

Who Will Win Raiders vs. Texans?

RAIDERS

Away

28

TEXANS

Home

35

Score
Predictions

Matchup