Raiders Hoping For Repeat Performance Against The Texans

The clock showed 10:00 left in the fourth quarter of a late season matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Texans. Everyone was expecting the Texans to steamroll the Raiders on their way to the playoffs, and it was assumed it was just another game on Tom Cable's interim exit tour.

The result was anything but what people expected. JaMarcus Russell (yes, that JaMarcus) went 18 for 25 for 236 yards and a pair of scores, and Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden combined for 139 yards on 34 carries to lead the Raiders to a 27-16 upset of Houston.   

That game, coupled with the game that followed, may be the reason why expectations going into this season were so high in Oakland. For two consecutive weeks and for this season's Monday night opener, the Raiders played up to their potential. Oakland beat Houston and Tampa Bay (getting Jon Gruden fired in the process), and they should have beaten San Diego (if not for a questionable replay overturn and soft defense).

This is a new season, and JaMarcus Russell has struggled to find his form. It's easy to heap it on the young quarterback, but he is capable (he proved it at the end of last season). When you couple Russell's regression with poor coaching, bad play calling, and inexperienced rookie receivers, you have a recipe for disaster.

But still, out there somewhere, there is that eager Raider fan waiting for 10:00 AM Pacific time to come around. There's still that blind, faithful and loyal member of the Raider Nation waiting for the Silver and Black to take the field. They're still waiting for Janikowski to start the game with a kickoff or Justin Miller to start the game with a kick return.

This Sunday there will be extra reason to watch the game. As a member of the Raider Nation, that poor sap is out there holding out hope that Houston will be "just what the doctor ordered", and it'll jump start Oakland's season. As difficult as it may be to believe, there is reason to be optimistic.

The Texans give up an average of 204.7 yards per game and currently rank 32nd against the run, a place where the Raiders excel. Coupled with its #17 ranking against the pass, Houston is ranked dead last in total defense.

The key to this game is JaMarcus Russell. If he can start the game off completing a few passes and making things happen, he'll keep the Texan defense honest. If Russell starts the game off in his routinely inconsistent way, it's going to be another sad Sunday for Raider Nation.

Russell is due to show up and play. Fourth quarter comebacks are not enough when your team sleeps through the first three quarters of the game. Though Nation fans were quick to give him a reprieve after the Kansas City game, it was painfully obvious that playing a tough team the way he'd been playing was going to cost Oakland big.

Winning will cure all ills, and it's up to Russell to put his team in position to win. McFadden must also carry the weight of the team and his 25 Million dollar contract in order for the Raiders to be successful. Raider fans deserve a good team. They're too loyal and too willing to follow their team. They're tired of fumbles, interceptions, and bad passes.

If Oakland has a prayer at salvaging this season, it all begins Sunday. This team is too talented to let another season slip through its fingers. The Raiders have to play with pride and poise. I believe that this Sunday, Oakland will again find a way to win.

Let's call it Oakland 24 Houston 21.