The Oakland Raiders week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans has big implications on how the AFC playoff picture will unfold. The following Raiders x-factors must perform well if the team is going to be successful on Sunday.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, and the Oakland Raiders have finally reached the end of the most daunting part of their schedule. While the schedule softens up in the upcoming weeks, this Sunday brings a very difficult challenge. If the team is going to be successful against the Houston Texas, the Raiders x-factors need to have a big game.
Houston enters the contest with a 4-3 record and half a game ahead of Oakland for the second AFC wild card spot. Since both teams are coming off a loss and involved in a tight playoff race, this matchup is considered a “must-win” for either side.
The Texans have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and have been in the postseason conversation for the better part of this decade. For the Raiders to emerge victorious, the team will need to be at its best and play a near-perfect game.
To accomplish perfection, the following players need to step up for the Silver and Black.