Oakland Raiders' Season On The Line This Week Vs Houston Texans

It's just week four of the NFL season but the playoff hopes for the Oakland Raiders are on the line against the Texans.  Penalties, missed field goals, and the decision to defer the opening kickoff, among other things led to the Raiders losing a heartbreaker against the Cardinals.  We should be 2-1 with momentum heading into our 2nd home game of the season.  Instead, we are 1-2 and in a must win situation if we want to keep our post season hopes alive. 

The Texans and their #4 ranked offense present a very tough task but it can be done as long as we don't beat ourselves like against Arizona.  The Oakland Raiders defense is currently tied for 2nd overall giving up just 260.7 yards a game. 

One thing in our favor is that Andre Johnson aggravated an ankle injury that will keep him out of practice all week.  He's questionable for Sunday's matchup.  Even if he does play, don't expect much from him since he will be shadowed by Nnamdi Asomugha who is coming off a great performance against All Pro Larry Fitzgerald. 

We are going to have our hands full trying to contain NFL leading rusher Arian Foster.  Our best defense against him is an offense that eats up the clock.  We have a pretty solid RB on our team as well in Darren McFadden whose 345 rushing yards is good for third in the NFL behind Foster and Adrian Peterson. 

The Texans are 2nd in the NFL against the run but opposing teams are only attempting 18 runs per game against them which is the fewest in the NFL.  As long as we don't abandon the run and go all pass happy like against the Titans we should be able to do our thing on the ground. 

Playing at home is also going to be an advantage.  Bruce Gradkowski feeds of the Raider Nation's energy when he's at home.  He, as a QB should, took the blame for the loss against the Cardinals.  We got into their redzone plenty of times but finished with just 23 points after a very impressive 20 points in the first half.  Gradkowski should be more effective this week in the redzone.  Zach Miller had a TD catch but very easily could have had three on the day.  Look for Gradkowski and Miller to hook up early and often against Houston.

That's all I got this week.  The game against the Texans is basically a playoff game for the Oakland Raiders.  Tom Cable and his staff need to tighten up the few "loose screws" we have left.  If the Raiders didn't make half the mistakes they did against Arizona that game wouldn't even have been close. 

The Raiders can't be 1-3 after four games if they want to win the AFC West. 

Come on Raider Nation.  The Raiders are going to need our support at home this week to pull this one off.  Show up and make some noise!

RAIDERS4LIFE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !