The Raiders go into Houston Saturday as underdogs.
Despite a 12-4 record in the regular season, Oakland enters the playoffs – for the first time since the 2002 season – as 3½-point underdogs, thanks to the injury two weeks ago that knocked quarterback Derek Carr out of the lineup. The 9-7 Texans aren’t very good on offense, but the AFC South champions are excellent defensively.
So, the Raiders have their work cut out for them in the game set to kick off at 1:35 p.m. But, if things go right Saturday, they could move on to the next round. A look at five things the Raiders must do to make that happen:
Protect Connor Cook: The rookie from Michigan State will start for the first time in his pro career after making his NFL debut last week in relief of the injured Matt McGloin. The Raiders must not only give Cook time to throw, but keep him upright. If he can start the game with some time and completed throws, Cook could gain some confidence and settle in. He showed last week against the Broncos that he has a strong arm and ability to make plays.
Run the football early: The Raiders rank sixth in the NFL in rushing this season with 120.1 yards per game, and they have a nice trio of complementary backs in Latavius Murray, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. But the offensive line – one of the NFL’s best – failed to open many holes last week vs. the Broncos, putting way too much pressure on McGloin and Cook to make plays through the air. Houston is the NFL’s No. 1 overall defense, but it has been vulnerable on the ground, giving up 4.0 yards per rush and 99.7 yards per game. The key will be to control inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney, a tackling machine in the middle of the field. Establishing a successful running attack early can help set the pace of the game.
Get to Brock Osweiler: The Texans have allowed 32 sacks this season, and Osweiler is particularly sackable. He went down three times last week vs. Tennessee and has been sacked 50 times over 23 games the past two seasons. He’s also been inaccurate under pressure (16 interceptions this season), so if Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and Co. can get to him for sacks or to force him into mistakes, the Raiders offense could get some short fields to work with. That would be a big help for Cook.
Stop Lamar Miller: In the Raiders’ 27-20 victory over the Texans earlier this season, Houston running back Lamar Miller rushed for 104 yards and a TD. He missed the Texans’ final two regular-season games with an ankle injury, but will start Saturday. Oakland will need to shut him down and force Osweiler to beat them through the air.
Raiders
Create a special surprise: There’s nothing that boosts a team more than a big play on special teams. So the Raiders need something – a big punt or kickoff return or a blocked punt – to help take the pressure off Cook and the offense. Return man Jalen Richard could be the guy to do it. The rookie has had a 47-yard punt return and 50-yard kickoff return this season, but hasn’t taken one all the way back. A TD vs. Houston could be the difference in this one.
