NFL Picks Week 5: Raiders Will Let Emotion Carry Them to Victory vs. Texans

Al Davis was the Oakland Raiders. He lived and breathed silver and black for nearly 50 years. Now, for the first time since 1963, the team will take the field knowing that their owner will not be watching them. The team will ride this wave of emotion to a victory against a good Houston team on Sunday.

The Raiders have been playing well this season, despite owning a 2-2 record, and they have a real chance to make noise in the AFC West. But knowing that their leader will no longer be around to see this team every week could be the spark that the team needed to put them over the top.

The Texans have taken control of a mediocre AFC South this season. They have a 3-1 record and are filled with confidence after knocking off the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers last week, but the Raiders are a bad matchup for them.

Houston's strength on defense comes from its ability to get after the quarterback and control the passing game.

The Raiders' strength on offense is running the ball to open up the pass. Darren McFadden is averaging over six yards per carry this season. He leads the NFL in rushing with 468 yards, easily ahead of Maurice Jones-Drew's 391 yards.

Jason Campbell has been inconsistent for the Raiders through four games this season, but he does not have to be a dominant quarterback in order for this team to have success. He has to be efficient and not turn the ball over.

Campbell has three interceptions this season, all of which have come in the two games that the team has lost. If he is making smart decisions with the football, the Raiders are going to win.

McFadden is going to be the star of the show this week, as he usually is, and the team will ride its emotions to a victory.

Al Davis may not be around to see this team play, but he is still very much a part of the organization.