Raiders: Keys to victory against the Texans in 2022 Week 7
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Houston Texans out of the bye week, and here are some keys to victory for the Silver and Black in Week 7.
On paper, the Week 7 battle between the Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders is a battle between two of the worst teams in the AFC. If you look at their records, two wins combined through Week 6, you would have to think this is more of a battle for draft position.
Well, as we stated earlier in the week, all one-win teams are not created equal, and in fact, based on talent, the Raiders should be closer to the top of the AFC. However, here we are, 1-4 and with the season hanging in the balance as the Texans invade Allegiant Stadium out of their bye week as well.
Las Vegas has a chance to get this season back on the right track, but to do so, they will have to take advantage of these keys to victory.
Raiders: Keys to victory against the Texans in 2022 Week 7
Establish some dominance early on
The Raiders go into this game as the favorites, but as we have seen this season, that does not mean much. The only thing that matters is what happens once the game kicks off, and for Las Vegas, showing some dominance early on, especially in the trenches, will prove to be key in them securing their second victory of the 2022 season.
Teams like Houston have a tendency to stick around if you let them, and they have played in some close battles already this season. A touchdown on the opening drive for the Raiders offense, or a quick three-and-out for the defense is going to go a long way in settling the narrative in a game between two franchise desperately looking for a win.
Continue to lean on Josh Jacobs
Through their first five games of the season, one thing is clear, and that is Josh Jacobs is on a mission in 2022. The veteran running back looks as good as he ever has toting the rock, and against the Texans, Las Vegas needs to lean on him early and often, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
If the Raiders can get some chunk yardage, and Jacobs continues to run at the punishing pace he has been, it could deflate a Texans defense that will likely be fired up coming out of the bye week. Jacobs has rounded into one of the best rushers in the AFC this season, and if the Raiders are to beat Houston, he will need another 100-yard effort.
Put the game away
The goal is really simple for the Silver and Black in Week 7, and that is to get out to an early lead, and finally put one of these games away. Against both Arizona and Kansas City, the Raiders squandered leads that should have been insurmountable, especially the 20-0 halftime lead against the Cardinals.
Against Houston, the Raiders should be able to dominate the game early on, and get out to a halftime lead against a Texans team that struggles to score points. From there, they need to keep their foot on the gas, because as Josh McDaniels has learned, NFL games are not two quarters long.