Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders: 5 Bold Predictions

Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Brooks Reed (58) during the game against the Washington Redskins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

3. Brooks Reed will lead the defense
I know J.J. Watt is the MAN on the defensive side of the ball, and he’ll get his numbers, but the player to watch in this game for the Texans is linebacker Brooks Reed.

Reed will make an impact in this game by recording 8 tackles (he had five last week) with two sacks (he had one vs. the Redskins), and I’ll go one further in saying he’ll force a fumble. He showed last week he is very capable of having that type of game, with four of his five tackles being solo, plus the sack he recorded.

This could be a big season for Reed, and he’ll make some noise in this game.

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4. Randy Bullock will have a perfect kicking day

Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans kicker Randy Bullock (4) is congratulated after kicking a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Redskins 17-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Dare I say Bullock will be perfect two weeks in a row for the Texans? Yes I just did.

Last week against the Redskins he kicked field goals of 40 or more yards twice, so that was an improvement from last season.

In ’13 Bullock was 26-of-35 in field goal attempt (74.3 percent), but this game he will be 100-percent, and make at least one field goal of over 45 yards.

5. Game Prediction
This is a tough score to predict. The Vegas folks have the Texans as 3-point favorites, but I think they will cover that number easy.

I think Fitzpatrick will have another zero interception day, the running game will be balanced and the defense will control the overall tempo of the contest.

The final score will be: Texans 27, Raiders 13