Texans Vs Raiders: 10 Things Oakland Fans Should Know About Houston

The Raiders play the Texans on Sunday in Oakland. This is a must win for the Raiders after their heart breaking loss in Arizona.

The Raiders are 1-2 and looking at 1-3 right in the eye. The Texans are coming off a loss to the Cowboys in week three.

Both teams must win this week, but only one will come away with a victory.

The Raiders defeated the Texans the last time they came to Oakland.

Let's take a look at 10 things you should know about the Texans.

Coach Gary Kubiak

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak has words with referee Ed Hochuli after the Texans were charged with a timeout after the play clock was zero against the indianapolis Colts during the NFL season opener at Reliant Stadium on S

Gary Kubiak is the head coach of the Houston Texans. He is an offensive mastermind and his offense has shown flashes of greatness.

He has a 33-34 record and has turned the Houston Texans into a team that could win the AFC South.

They are currently tied for first place in their division and hold a victory over the Colts who are favored to win the AFC South.

Kubiak has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and he is utilizing them well.

Quarterback Matt Schaub

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans throws a pass during pre-game warm ups before playing the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Matt Schaub is one of the better quarterbacks in the league. This season he is in the top ten in passing yards, touchdown passes and quarterback rating.

He does a great job at spreading out the ball to different receivers during the game. He is the leader of the fourth best offense in the league averaging over 400 yards and over 25 points per game.

He struggled against the Cowboys pass rush and coverage against the Cowboys. The Raiders must get pressure on Schaub and force him to make mistakes if they want to win.

Receiver Andre Johnson

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 19: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Larry French/Getty

Andre Johnson is one of the premier receivers in the league. He was injured during the Cowboys game and he may be at full strength.

This will be another great challenge for Nnamdi Asomugha who showed Larry Fitzgerald that anyone can get lost in Area-21.

Fitzgerald only caught one pass while being covered by Asomugha.

Speaking of Asomugha, did you know he covers more people than State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, Progressive and Geico combined?

Tight End Owen Daniels

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 25: Tight-end Owen Daniels #81 of the Houston Texans completes a pass in front of safety Mark Roman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers at Reliant Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Raiders and the Texans both have tight ends with pro bowl potential. Daniels is one of the best tight ends in the league, and he will have to be accounted for by the Raiders defense.

He is one of Matt Schaub's favorite targets. Asomugha should have Johnson covered so the rest of the defense must watch Daniels especially on third downs.

Defensive End Mario Williams

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Defensive end Mario Williams stetches during pre-game warm ups before playing the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Raiders offensive line has struggled so far early in the season. Mario Williams is one of the best defensive ends in the league and he should be excited to face this offensive line.

Mario Henderson did a fine job on him when they played in Oakland two years ago, but Williams has gotten better and Henderson is rotating with a rookie left tackle.

Making sure Super Mario isn't a factor will be a major key to the Raiders offense.

Running Back Arian Foster

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Only one running back has more rushing yards in the AFC than Darren McFadden. His name is Arian Foster and he is coming to visit the Raiders defense that is ranked 24th in the league at stopping the run.

Foster earned the starting spot for the Texans during the off season and he's literally run away with it. He's averaging almost six yards per carry and 135 yards per game.

If the Raiders want to show the world they can stop the run, it must happen this week.

McFadden vs Foster will be a fun showdown to watch. The Raiders defense must do a better job at stopping the run and can't let Foster take the crowd out of the game early.

Texans Strength: Offense

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 19: Chris Myers #55 of the Houston Texans prepares to snap the ball against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Larry Fr

The Texans offense is one of the best in the league. They have top performers in each skill position. Their quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and running all could make the pro bowl if they continue playing how they are.

The Raiders will have their hands full and must find a way to keep the Texans offense off the field. The Raiders have plenty of talent and speed on defense to offset the Texans talent.

Getting pressure on the quarterback will be key for the Raiders, they must play aggressive and can't play a soft zone or Schaub will eat them up.

Texans Weakness: Pass Coverage

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Louis Murphy #18 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the football after a 13 yard reception past Adrian Wilson #24 of the Arizona Cardinals during the thrid quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stad

The Texans are one of the worst pass defending teams in the league. Their secondary has struggled, but that could change against the Raiders.

If the Texans can apply the pressure they need on Bruce Gradkowski it could be trouble for the Raiders passing game.

That said, the Raiders have three players in the top 32 in the league in receiving yards. Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey are starting to look like reliable receivers. Zach Miller could have a big game against the Texans weak pass defense.

If the Raiders can protect the quarterback the Raiders may have a big day passing the ball, especially if they can get Darren McFadden and Michael Bush going early on.

Texans Overview

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 19: Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans hands off to Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redsk

Overall the Texans could very well be the best team the Raiders have faced this season. They are very well balanced on offense.

Their defense is also filled with plenty of talent. The Texans must win this game to stay ahead in the AFC South.

This game will show the world how the Texans respond to their first loss of the season. They were defeated by the Cowboys in Houston and it wasn't even close.

It is important the Texans win this game and the next two before their bye. They face the Giants and Chiefs at home before they go into the bye week.

After that they face the toughest stretch of their schedule. The Texans must win this game.

Raiders Overview

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Runningback Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football past Paris Lenon #51 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in G

The Raiders are also facing a must win game in Oakland. There was a lot of chatter over the off season and there was plenty of optimism.

Coach Tom Cable has said that they were an average quarterback away from being a playoff team. Perhaps his mouth wrote a check his behind, which is on the hot seat, can't cash.

The Raiders added an average quarterback in Jason Campbell during the off season and benched him right away. Now they have an average quarterback in Bruce Gradkowski and they still can't find a way to win games.

If they start the season 1-3 the Raider Nation will hit the panic button. The Raiders have to show themselves and the rest of the world that they can compete.

The Raiders beat themselves against Arizona, but they can't afford to make those kind of mistakes against the Texans. This is a game that the Raiders can win, and they will if they minimize mistakes.

The next six games for the Raiders are games they can win. After the Texans they play the Chargers, 49ers, Broncos, Seattle and Kansas City.

The Raiders have an opportunity to break out of the funk, and it starts this Sunday.

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