Oakland Raiders Week 8 X-Factors against the Houston Texans

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Offensive tackle Trent Brown #77 of the Oakland Raiders watches from the sidelines during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Offensive tackle Trent Brown #77 of the Oakland Raiders watches from the sidelines during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: Kolton Miller #74 of the Oakland Raiders warms-up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: Kolton Miller #74 of the Oakland Raiders warms-up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)

Kolton Miller

It feels like every week presents a new and difficult challenge for Kolton Miller. So far, he has been up for the task and week four is the only game he has surrendered a sack. However, Sunday presents a tough assignment for the young tackle, again.

While Watt garners most of the attention on the Texans defense, Whitney Mercilus has established himself as a tremendous pass rusher in his own right. Mercilus ranks 11th in the league with five and a half sacks, and has managed at least one quarterback pressure in every game this season.

Outside of a poor showing against the Vikings, Miller hasn’t allowed more than one pressure in a game, so this matchup on the edge should be a good one.

The Raiders left tackle has dramatically improved from his rookie campaign, however, he gets a lot of help from the protection scheme in the form of chip blocks, double teams and quick passes. With Watt on the opposite side, Whitney Mercilus and Miller should get plenty of one-on-one opportunities. Thus, the UCLA product has a perfect opportunity to show he laid to rest the demons that plagued him a year ago.

Schedule