Post-Game Recap: Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Texans

Post-Game Recap of the Oakland Raiders 27-20 win over the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football in Mexico City.

The Houston Texans traveled to Mexico City to take on the Oakland Raiders and some green laser-pointers on Monday night in a “home game” for the Silver and Black.

Oakland entered the 4th quarter trailing 17-13, but won the final 15 minutes to move into a tie with the New England Patriots for the AFC’s best record, as well as sole possession of the AFC West lead following Kansas City’s home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday.

According to ESPN, Oakland would be the AFC’s top seed if the season ended today.

The laser was first seen in the second quarter and again appeared in the third quarter.  The NFL is said to be investigating the incidences.

With 10:57 remaining in the international contest Nick Novak hit a 28-yard FG to give the Texans a 20-13 lead and what would prove to be their final points of the evening.

Continuing his stellar season, Raiders third-year QB Derek Carr hit fullback Jamize Olawale on a 75-yard pitch and catch to tie the game at 20-20.

Almost exactly six minutes later, Carr hit his emerging superstar second-year wide out Amari Cooper on a 35-yard strike to give Oakland the lead for good with 4:43 to go in the game. It was at least Carr’s fifth game-winning toss of the season in what’s shaping up to be a potential MVP campaign after hitting fellow wide out Michael Crabtree on clutch throws against Jacksonville, San Diego, Baltimore and New Orleans.

The Cooper strike proved to be the final points of the contest and the Raiders will return home to Oakland next week at 8-2, their best start to a season since 2001.

Carr finished the game completing 21 of 31 passes for 295 yards, three TDs, one pick, no sacks and a 117.0 rating, besting his Houston counterpart Brock Osweiler, who was 26 of 39 for 243 yards, one TD and one interception.

Oakland had an anemic rushing attack on the evening, only gaining 30 yards on 20 carries for 1.5 yards per attempt. Raider starting running back Latavius Murray was the only Oakland ball-carrier to average over one yard pre attempt, gaining 33 yards on 12 carries (2.8 YPC).

It was Oakland’s ball-carriers that paced the air attack on the night, with Olawale finishing with 3 catches for 90 yards, including the giant TD catch from Carr.  Murray had 5 catches for 59 yards, good for 11.8 yards per catch. Jalen Richard had 3 catches for 50 yards and a score.

Cooper had a solid game, recording 4 catches for 57 yards, including the 4th quarter go-ahead grab. Clive Walford was the only other Raider to record double-digit receiving yards, with 28 on 2 receptions. Crabtree had a poor outing, only recording 3 receptions for 5 yards and fumbling a Carr pass that Oakland recovered.

Marquette King punted three times for 159 yards, good for a 53-yard average. Sebastian Janikowski was perfect on the evening, hitting 19 and 20-yard field goals to go along with three extra points.

Malcolm Smith recorded a uber-athletic interception for Oakland at midfield just before halftime.

Karl Joesph again lead or tied to lead the Raiders in tackles (10), as he has done so many times this season. Bruce Irvin and Malcolm also recorded ten tackles (nine solo) to tie with Joesph for the team lead. Irvin also added sack.

Khalil Mack had one sack and another QB hit, marking it his fifth straight contest with at least one sack, and he now has a sack in six of his last seven games. Stacy McGee and Denico Autry added one and two tackles for loss respectively.

Oakland will return home to take on a disappointing Carolina Panthers squad next Sunday at 1:25 PST on CBS.