Recap: Houston Texans Thump Oakland Raiders 30-14

One can honestly say that the Houston Texans are back to their winning ways.

It has been nearly a year since the team has won two-in-a-row and they’ve done so in cavalier-like fashion.

We also learned that J.J. Watt can do just about anything on a football field.

Is he even human?

The Texans pursued right out of the gate with a 10-play, 80-yard, 5 1/2-minute drive down field.

September 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Texans running back

Arian Foster

(23) runs with the ball past Oakland Raiders defensive back

Chimdi Chekwa

(35) during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Fitzpatrick used a combination of short passes over the middle and to the right as well as hand-offs to Arian Foster to get themselves going.

Then the unthinkable happened…

Foster had a nice burst of 41 yards to the end zone for what was ruled a touchdown but was called back after the play went under review.

The ruling on the field was that he didn’t cross the plane and that put the ball on the Raiders 1-yard line.

Here’s where Bill O’Brien got even after that play overturn…

He quickly moved forward and decided to put Watt at the tight end position for the scoring play.

The Raiders coaching staff thought he likely was put in as a run-blocker for Foster but that was totally the opposite.

Fitz quickly went to Watt and TOUCHDOWN!

It didn’t take that long at all for them to get on the board!

Sep 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback

Ryan Fitzpatrick

(14) throws a pass over Oakland Raiders defensive end

Justin Tuck

(91) in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Texans defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Fitz looked solid once again — he ended up passing 14-for-19 with 139 yards passing, two touchdowns for a 129.1 quarterback rating.

He seemed to not try anything fancy but stayed within the parameters that O’Brien set up for him and executed with a little precision, far from perfect though.

The game was all Texans throughout with them leading 17-0 going into the half.

They had total control and the Raiders seemed concerned about that but there was nothing they could do.

By the time the Raiders got on the board, it was the 4th quarter and the game was well out of reach for them, garbage points if you will.

Foster was the leading rusher once again for the Texans rushing for 138 yards off 28 carries and one touchdown.

Yep, that’s right, 28 carries.

This is what I expected because the Raiders have had trouble stopping the run giving up 212 to Jets last week. They gave up 188 to the Texans today.

Foster also completed his 27th game that involved his yardage exceeding the century mark.

Andre Johnson was leading wide out catching six balls for 76 yards.

Deandre Hopkins scored his 2nd consecutive touchdown in as many games.

A.J. Bouye and Brian Cushing led the team in tackles with eight and six respectively, they seemed to be everywhere.

Sep 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Texans cornerback

Kareem Jackson

(25) returns an interception against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr was picked off twice — first by Kareem Jackson; and, secondly by Brooks Reed.

Whitney Mercilus, when needed the most, was largely non-existent, he only had one tackle on the game to his credit.

He’s got to step up if he expects to be a part of the evolution of something big.

Carr ended up going 27-for-42, passing for 263 yards, with one touchdown and the two aforementioned picks. He also had 58 rushing yards, more than half of the team’s total of 101 yards. His QB rating was hurt quite a bit with those interceptions — he ended up with a 69.8.