Nov 17, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end Garrett Graham (88) makes a reception during the fourth quarter as Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Kevin Burnett (94) defends at Reliant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Texans 28-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Though the Houston Texans have the all-time series lead against the Oakland Raiders, the Texas have lost the previous two meetings and are looking to end that skid against the Raiders on Sunday.
The past two seasons the Raiders (0-1) have won their games against the Texans (1-0) by scores of 28-23 (’13) and 25-20 (’11), so I’m expecting about the same type of close score on Sunday between these two teams,
In looking at the history of these two teams when they face one another, here are what the final results look like (results from The Football Database):
2013: Raiders 28, Texans 23
2011: Raiders 25, Texans 20
2010 Texans 31, Raiders 24
2009: Texans 29, Raiders 6
2008: Raiders 27, Texans 16
2007: Texans 24, Raiders 17
2006: Texans 23, Raiders 14
2004: Texans 30, Raiders 17
In the matchup as well, the Texans have outscored their opponents from Oakland, 196-158, taking a 5-3 series lead.
What would have made this matchup very interesting would have been if the Texans could have faced against their former longtime starting QB Matt Schaub.
The Texans traded Schaub this offseason to the Raiders for a sixth round draft selection, but Schaub was unable to beat rookie QB Derek Carr for the starting job, so unless something were to happen with Carr, we won’t get that matchup.
As for Carr, his brother, David, was the first draft pick in Texans history, as they drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. Derek was drafted by the Raiders in the second round in May.
In the matchup last season, in Houston, the Raiders trailed the Texans, 17-14 at halftime, but scored 14 points in the third to eventually seal the win. In that game, the Raiders’ 14 first half points were in the first quarter.
Ben Tate was the leading rusher for the Texans with 88 yards on 19 carries. Tate has since signed with the Cleveland Browns, and is injured for the next two weeks.
The Texans and Raiders kickoff this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. It should be an interesting watch.