Houston Texans Vs. Oakland Raiders: What To Look For

ByBrian K. Patterson|Sep 13, 2014, 11:00 AM EDT

The Houston Texans had a bit of carpe diem of their own this past Sunday by taking control and defeating the Washington Redskins17-6.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen our defense so dominant because for a good chunk of last season, we weren’t dominating much of anything.

Although the team gave up372passing/rushing yards combined, they made it count out on the football field when it counted and held the ‘Skins to just six points.

The Texans head out west to take on the Oakland Raiders this Sunday and it will be a reunion of sorts with former players such asAntonio SmithandMatt Schaub.

Here’s some things to look for position-wise as the team takes the field:

QUARTERBACK:Ryan Fitzpatricklooked brilliant against the Redskins going14-for-22for206yards passing foronetouchdown. That’s good for a magnificent109.3quarterback rating. Fitz has had a good history against the Raiders — last season, he went30-for-42for320yards andtwotouchdowns for a109.2QB rating leading the Tennessee Titans to a23-19win when he was their QB. I fully expect that he continues his success against this team even though they’ve made some improvements on the defensive line.Derek Carrhas become Raider Nation’s newest darling with the incredible performance he had in the preseason. Carr went20-for-32for151yards for two touchdowns for94.7QB rating this past Sunday against the New York Jets. This guy has a cannon for an arm and can throw the ball deep but it remains to be seen if he has enough weapons that can catch his razor-sharp passes.Matt Schaub? Not so much. He has once again lost his job because of poor QB play and this time he can’t blame it on an injury — Carr has outplayed him in every sense of the word. I was hoping that Schaub could get that fresh start he needed to prove the naysayers wrong but one has to wonder if he still has the mojo. He really is not a bad QB but he has really been in a severe slump that dates back to last season.

Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back

Arian Foster

(23) stiff arms Washington Redskins free safety

Ryan Clark

(25) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK:Arian Fosterlooked like the one of old this past Sunday! It was amazing how he trotted and sliced through the defense in his signature fashion. He made it look too easy. Foster ended up with103rushing yards off27carries solidifying himself as one of the top rushers for Week 1. I fully expect Foster to have another one of these games Sunday because of the Raiders struggle to stop the run. The212yards that they gave up to the Jets was the most for any team and that’s good enough for32nd— yep,lastplace.Maurice Jones-Drewhad a minor procedure done on his hand and may not be available butDarren McFaddenandLatavius Murraywill likely take over the bulk of carries but their effectiveness may be marked — McFadden only had only15rushing yards off four carries last week. The strength of the Texans’ D-line affords the opportunity for the running game of the Raiders to be stopped in their tracks. They’ll have to beat them in the air.

Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver

DeAndre Hopkins

(10) runs for a touchdown during the game against the Washington Redskins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVER:Andre Johnsonand Deandre Hopkins are turning into nice one-two punch as our top targets at wide out. Both pose significant threats to any defense that we face because either one can beat you and can haul in a ball from just about anywhere. Johnson hadsixreceptions for93yards and Hopkins had four receptions for89yards with a jaw-dropping74-yardcatch for a touchdown that got Texans’ fans on their feet with4:15left in the first half! However, the Raiders are better with defending the pass only giving up190yards last week, good for 10th in the league. Our guys are offensive monsters — I just don’t see the Raiders having any chance of stopping them.Bill O’Brienused Demaris Johnson quite a bit, relegating him to spot duty and it will be interesting to see how his role with the Texans will eventually be shaped. The Texans claimed Johnson off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles Aug. 31.Ryan Fitzpatrick describes himas being “a very special talent.”

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

DEFENSE (FRONT 7):Jadeveon Clowneyis out after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee this past Monday. It’s now up toBrooks ReedandWhitney Mercilusto fill in and step up for him in his absence. Reed hadfivetackles withoneassist andasack last week. He also tackled-for-loss for12yards. I expect Reed to continue his surge as of late but I’m not sure what I’m are going to see out of Mercilus who didn’t even appear on the stat sheet.J.J. Wattwill continue his dominance by being all over the field, don’t worry fans, although he has missed some practice this week, there’s no way in hell he will miss this game! Also keep an eye on the progress ofBrian Cushing, who seemed to be knocking some rust off from being out for the second half of last season. The coaching staff seems to be bringing him along a bit slower by limiting his reps out there on the field as well, which I’m all an advocate for. We need him to survive a full season for crying out loud! Cushing still managed to havefive tackles andthreeassists last week.

Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety

D.J. Swearinger

(36) tackles Washington Redskins running back

Alfred Morris

(46) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSE (SECONDARY):The threat of Carr’s offensive prowess is going to test the wits of our secondary Sunday. These guys need to be ready for whatever is thrown at them. I’m positive that they will.Johnathan Josephwas all over the field last week with being the leading tackler getting11of them. He seems to be ready to impress this season but I do have some subjectivity to his motive. He will be making nearly10 millionnext season in the last year of his contract and I’m sure he’s doing everything he can to make sure that his money is guaranteed. But nonetheless, it’s great to see him back out there. In addition to Joseph,D.J. Swearinger,Kareem JacksonandKendrick Lewisall chipped in dutifully. With the addition ofDanieal Manning, they are loaded in the backfield.