Raiders mess with Texans: Oakland beats Houston 27-16

December 22, 3:04 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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JLH is now the TD leader on the Raiders
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

It took them a calander year, but the Raiders finally converted an opening drive into a touchdown when JaMarcus Russell hit Chaz Schilens with a 20 yard strike. The Raiders followed that up with two more scores, and never trailed as they upset the Houston Texans. 

The Raiders defense started off slow, allowing the Texans to march down the field and score an opening touchdown of their own. However, the Texans would not see the end zone again in the game. Their biggest weapon, Andre Johnson, was rendered ineffective by the Raiders secondary. The Raiders defensive line was able to mount a formidable pass rush and sack Matt Schaub three times.

The Raiders started Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins at wide out, and the two young receivers responded with each having a touchdown catch. In fact, this was the best performance by wide receivers as a group the Raiders have had all season. Other receivers have had very good games, but this is the first time that multiple wide outs were able to have mulitple catches and affect the game.

Justin Fargas and Darren Mcfadden both had success out of the back field, with Fargas rushing for 93 yards and McFadden having 87 combined yards. Fargas was the pounder, whilst McFadden was able to get into space and make plays. It is amazing how much better this offense looks, when the playbook is geared towards using the talents of the different players.

JaMarcus Russell was accurate completing 18 or 25 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. The key with him is that his decision making seemed to improve, and he was getting the ball to the receivers rather than hanging them out to be clocked, as had been his problem.

On the defensive side of the ball, Derrick Burgess showed that he is finally back healthy as he took Schaub down twice. Chris Johnson added an interception, and the Raiders defense was all over the field after their opening drive disaster. On a combination in the fourth quarter Gibril Wilson and Stanford Routt broke up consecutive passes in the end zone to give the Raiders offense the ball back on a turnover on downs.

Johnnie Lee Higgins had his third punt return for a touchdown this season, which clinched the game for the Raiders. Despite his rough start, Higgins has evolved into a playmaker for the Silver and Black.