Week 1 of the preseason taught the Las Vegas Raiders a lot about themselves. The team is making adjustments ahead of their second exhibition game against the Houston Texans based on what they learned, and they'll have a chance to implement those lessons early during joint practice on Tuesday.
"It's going to be extremely competitive," Klint Kubiak told reporters. "What a great defense that we're going to be going against; those pass rushers are impressive. Our offensive line is going to get some great work being out there in the heat. A different kind of heat will be a great challenge for us in our conditioning. This trip to Houston couldn't have come at a better time for our team."
Kubiak is exactly right that this joint practice and preseason game come at a great time, as they will be a great measuring stick for a young Raiders team. The Texans will test Las Vegas to its limits and tell Kubiak's squad a great deal about where they stand against one of the league's best rosters.
Here are five matchups in particular that fans should be monitoring during the day, as the results will tell Raider Nation just how far along their team is at the early juncture.
5 key matchups to watch in Raiders-Texans joint practices
Fernando Mendoza/Kirk Cousins vs. Texans' secondary
Houston picked off 19 passes last year, and all four of their defensive backs with 4+ interceptions are back in 2026. They also added Reed Blankenship and rookie Kamari Ramsey, who already picked off a pass in the preseason opener. Simply put, this Texans secondary is full of ballhawks.
Will the Raiders' top two quarterbacks be able to find completions downfield? Can they take care of the ball? This matchup will say a lot about just how much gas Cousins has left in the tank and how far along or ready a young Mendoza is to play against the NFL's most feared defensive backfield.
Raiders' revamped OL vs. Houston's bloodthirsty defensive front
Las Vegas did a lot to improve its offensive line this offseason, and the results have been promising in the early going. But they haven't played a defensive front like the Texans', which boasts an elite edge duo in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. and star rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze will have their hands more than full, and the rest of the Raiders' offensive line doesn't exactly have the day off, either. How the Silver and Black fare up front against Houston's ferocious front seven and aggressive DBs will say a lot about whether this unit really is much better.
Las Vegas' young CBs vs. Texans' solid WR corps
The Raiders' young secondary struggled mightily in the preseason opener, and it doesn't get any easier against the Texans. Nico Collins is a tough cover, and young players like Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson have some juice, too. Las Vegas could even see Tank Dell on Tuesday.
It's not like this is a pass-catching group full of stars in Houston, but they are at a high enough level that Zeke Masses, Jermod McCoy and Darien Porter playing well against them would really mean something. It's not disastrous if they struggle, though, so this is just a really great benchmark.
Ashton Jeanty/Mike Washington Jr. and the run game vs. Houston's elite run D
Late last season, Jeanty ran all over the Texans' defense, totaling 128 yards and a score while also making a 60-yard touchdown grab. This was Houston's second-worst game of the campaign against the run, so they really struggled to contain Jeanty. And Washington Jr. is no slouch this year, either.
If the Raiders' rushing attack looks great against the Texans' elite defensive unit once again, then fans can start justifiably feeling really confident about how this group will fare during the regular season. Last year may have just been an aberration. Or Jeanty can prove once again that he, too, is elite.
Raiders' DL against new Texans OL
One of Houston's only flaws last year was a spotty offensive line, and they retooled the unit this offseason. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders' main cogs on the defensive line are returners, so they should be a step ahead of the Texans. But Las Vegas' front didn't look tremendous on Thursday.
So, not only does Tuesday's practice represent an opportunity to bounce back, but also a chance to gain some momentum against an offensive line that is still a work in progress. If they don't show some signs of progress and dominance, then they'll need to find a spark somewhere before the season.
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