This weekend is the start of a big stretch for the Houston Texans as they have chance to record their best start in franchise history by going 4-1. The Raiders are going to be a challenge as they bring one of the top rushing games in the NFL that includes running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Here are the two players that are important for the game and I will give my 1 prediction.
1) Jacoby Jones.
With wide receiver Andre Johnson out, someone is going to have to step up and make the catches. Every year, it seems like that Texans fans are waiting for Jacoby Jones to explode and reach his potential. Every year, the Texans fans are left disappointed. Staring with the Raiders' game, these are the most important weeks of Jacoby Jones' NFL career. If he can step up and somewhat fill the role of Andre Johnson, that would greatly benefit quarterback Matt Schaub and the passing game. Otherwise, the Raiders defense is going to be geared to stop Arian Foster and not even be concerned about the passing game. A one-dimensional attack does not win this game.
2) Front 7
I decided with my second pick that I was just going to go with the entire Front 7 of the defense because stopping the run is vital in this game. McFadden has been able to do whatever he wanted to in the first four weeks as he is the leading rusher in the NFL with 468 yards. The Texans run defense has only been average so far. This is time for the Front 7 of the defense to shine and help lead the Texans to a victory. If they play with the heart they showed last week, they can slow down the Raiders' run game. If McFadden is contained, this will be a victory for the Texans. They want to have quarterback Jason Campbell beat them, not McFadden.
My 1 prediction is that the Texans, even without Andre Johnson, show some fight as this game turns into a track meet. I think both Foster and McFadden top 100 rushing yards easily as this game goes down to the wire. The Texans will make the crucial stop on defense like they did last week against the Steelers as they will improve to a franchise best, 4-1. Texans 21-20.
For more information on the Houston Texans, look at John McClain's blog on the Houston Chronicle online and visit ESPN NFL blogs.
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