Raiders Shock Texans with Convincing Win in Week 16

The season is basically over, the playoffs were never a factor and the Oakland Raiders have arguably been the one NFL franchise filled with the most drama and bad blood this season, but they looked like a team out to prove something when they convincingly beat the Houston Texans last Sunday 27-16.

An 80 yard punt return for by Johnnie Lee Higgins, JaMarcus Russell near perfect with two passing touchdowns and no picks and the team playing they way they should have played all season, the Raiders were playing for some sense of dignity in a season filled with disappointment in Week 16.

At the end of the game the Texans just looked shocked, bruised and beaten as the Raiders just had their way with they by putting up 27 points and while holding Matt Schaub and company to only 16 points.

The Texans got one rushing touchdown from Vonta Leach mid way through the first quarter, but it was all down hill from there as they had to settle for field goals three times after their only touchdown of the game. The Raiders on the other hand got their game going early with a 20 yard passing touchdown from Russell to Chaz Schilens followed by two field goals from Sebastian Janikowski to close out the first quarter.

In the second quarter the Texans seemed to get back in it as they held the Raiders from scoring and got two field goals out of Kris Brown, but it was a different story in the third as Johnnie Lee Higgins pretty much took the game over with two touchdowns of his own. One from a 29 yard pass from Russell and the other an 80 yard punt return touchdown which put the game out of reach for the Texans.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub who has been awesome since he returned from injury was no match for the Raiders defense as they picked him off once and held him to no touchdowns while sacking him three times. Even though he didn't look it against the Raiders, I believe Schaub will be one of the best quarterbacks in the league in the near future.

Although this was a great win for the Raiders in terms of seeing what can happen when both the offense and defense are clicking, it is just a shame that they couldn't get it together earlier in the season.

NEXT RAIDERS GAME: Oakland Raiders @ Tampa Bay Bucs Sunday, Dec. 28th 10am PST