Raiders Can't Stop Foster, Houston Edges Out Oakland

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Matt Schaub tossed two touchdowns while Arian Foster scored twice to help the Houston Texans take a 31-24 win over the Oakland Raiders.

Schaub went 16-for-29 with 192 yards while Foster finished the game with 16 carries for 131 yards and a score and three catches for 56 yards and a touchdown for the Texans (3-1), who bounced back from last Sunday's loss to Dallas.

Derrick Ward added 12 carries and 80 yards with a score, and Joel Dreessen had five catches for 73 yards and a score in the win.

Bruce Gradkowski went 24-for-39 with 278 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while Zach Miller finished with 11 catches for 122 yards and a score for the Raiders (1-3), who have dropped two straight after defeating St. Louis.

With the score tied at the start of the second half, Houston quickly took the lead. On the second play of the opening drive, Foster took a handoff around the right side, broke a tackle along the sideline and raced into the end zone from 74 yards out for a 21-14 lead just 44 seconds in.

After forcing a punt on Oakland's next touch, the Texans went on a 13-play, 73-yard drive that ate up over 7 1/2 minutes of the clock. They capped it with a 35-yard field goal from Neil Rackers for a 24-14 lead with 2:35 to play in the third quarter.

Gradkowski was picked off by Troy Nolan on the first play of Oakland's ensuing drive and the Texans took advantage of the turnover. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Schaub hit Foster near the end zone, and Foster got across the goal line to complete the 10-yard play for a 31-14 lead.

However, Oakland answered four minutes later. The nine-play, 87-yard march was capped by a 14-yard reception in the end zone by Miller to make it a 31-21 game.

The Raiders held the Texans on their next touch and were able to make it a one-score game, as Sebastian Janikowski booted a 39-yard field goal with 6:13 to play.

The Oakland defense again did its job, forcing a punt from Houston, but Gradkowski was picked off by Nolan for a second time and Houston killed the rest of the clock.

The Raiders got a 64-yard kickoff return from Jacoby Ford to start the game in excellent position, but went three-and-out and the Texans promptly took the lead.

A 29-yard catch by Dreessen was followed by a 13-yard catch from Kevin Walter to get the Texans in Oakland territory. Three plays later, Ward took a handoff through the right side, broke a tackle and raced into the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 10:06 left in the first quarter.

Oakland, though, came right back to tie the game. The Raiders covered 80 yards in eight plays, with Michael Bush punching the ball into the end zone with a two-yard run up the middle with 6:14 left in the first.

After an exchange of punts, the Texans took the lead after starting with the ball in Oakland territory. Steve Slaton carried the ball 23 yards to get it to the Oakland 13, and on third down, Schaub dumped a quick pass over the middle to Dreessen for an 11-yard score and a 14-7 lead with 23 seconds left in the first.

The Raiders tied the game with an impressive drive in the second quarter. Gradkowski completed a pass to Miller for 17 yards to get the ball across midfield, and later hit a wide-open Marcel Reece in the right flat. Reece took it in untouched from 13 yards out with 6:50 on the clock.

Oakland was driving at the end of the half and in scoring position, but Gradkowski was stripped of the ball and Houston recovered at its own 40.

The Texans got to the Oakland 28 and lined up for a 46-yard field goal, but Rackers hit it off the right upright as time expired.

Bush finished the game with seven carries for 40 yards, while Darren McFadden had 12 carries for 47 yards and six catches for 82 yards for Oakland...Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson was inactive due to a right ankle sprain...Houston has won five of the six games against Oakland...Houston, which has won four straight on the road, hosts the Giants next Sunday...Oakland hosts San Diego next Sunday.

Final Injury Report Update

This is an up to the minute injury report for the Oakland Raiders, but don’t hold me accountable for the next minute, because it seems like guys are getting constantly added.

The latest addition for the Raiders was Darrius Heyward-Bey who injured his groin at practice on Friday and is now listed as questionable for the game on Sunday. This leaves the Raiders with one WR, Johnnie Lee Higgins, on the roster who has a catch that is not on the injured list and he has exactly one.

Louis Murphy was again limited in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for the game. He is recovering from a bruised collarbone. Cable is confident both guys will be able to go.

Joining the WRs as qusetionable are DTs John Henderson (foot) and Richard Seymour (hamstring). Cable is confident both of these guys will be able to go as well.

FS Hiram Eugene (hamstring), CB Jeremy Ware (ankle) and CB Chris Johnson (neck) are also questionable.

Fully participating in practice and listed as probable are G Cooper Carlisle (knee), Loper (knee), T Langston Walker (elbow), RB Michael Bush (thumb), FB Marcel Reece (neck) G Daniel Loper (knee) TE Zach Miller (hip) and LB Quentin Groves (ribs)

Out for the game will be WR Chaz Schilens (knee), LB Travis Goethel (back), G Robert Gallery (hamstring), CB Walter McFadden (hamstring) and LB Ricky Brown (hamstring).

Despite the carpal tunnel I likely just gave myself from typing the Raiders injury updates here are the Texans aches and subsequent worries.

It all starts with WR Andre Johnson (ankle). Speculation runs rampant as to who playing status. He is officially listed as questionable.

Joining him with question marks are TE Owen Daniels (hamstring) and WR Darryl Sharpton (ankle). Neither Johnson or Daniels practiced this week.

Banged up, but probable to play are LB Xavier Adibi (hamstring) LB DeMeco Ryans (Quadricep) and DE Mario Williams (Groin) all of whom fully participated in Friday’s practice.

LB Kevin Bentley (knee) is out and S Eugen Wilson (hamstring) is doubtful.

Injury Updates

John Henderson has not practiced this week as he continues to rest his foot. He hasn’t practiced or played since the Week 2 victory against the Rams.

Tom Cable is not worried about Henderson’s availability for the game. Cable:

He’ll play this week. I expect him to work tomorrow,

Of course, this is what Henderson and Cable said before the Cardinals game. Henderson’s availability will be a big factor in this game as the Raiders face the league’s leading rusher, Arian Foster.

Especially given the concerns that Richard Seymour may not be at full strength or be able to play at all. Seymour played last week on a sore hamstring and said afterwards that the injury limited his explosiveness.

Seymour practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday and his status is up in the air for the game Sunday.

Louis Murphy missed practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday after suffering a bruised clavicle. He is expected to play on Sunday, but it doesn’t appear he is recovering as quickly as hoped.

For the Texans, Andre Johnson has not practiced at all this week as he is suffering from a high ankle sprain. Head Coach Gary Kubiak has said he will be a game time decision. Johnson insists he is playing. The Raiders are doing the prudent thing and preparing for him to be on the field.

Check back on Friday as we run down the official injury report.

Matchups To Watch

This game features intriguing matchups all over the field individually and team-wise. The Texans' mega-octane offense will give the Raiders a chance to prove that their number 2 overall defense is legit. Here are a few of the matchups that will likely decide this game.

Advantage Texans

Texans Run Offense vs Raiders Run Defense

Arian Foster and the Texans zone blocking offensive line are having their way with teams.

Foster is the NFL’s leading rusher and he is getting his yards with consistent positive carries. Foster is averaging an obscene 5.9 yards per carry and his long carry is 42 yards.

Foster likes to make the one cut and go and it sends him between the guards more often than not. Thirty-five percent of their carries are going right up the middle.

Given the success the Texans have up the middle though, the key here will be the health of John Henderson and Richard Seymour.

If the two of them are healthy, the Raiders should have a chance at slowing down the Texans running game.

Advantage Raiders

Raiders Pass Offense vs Texans Pass Defense

The Texans pass D is the weakness of their team. In three games they have allowed 25 catches for 288 yards to TEs.

It’s not just TEs that are doing the damage. The Texans are giving up 368.7 yards per game through the air. With the Raiders WRs now being worthy of attention, the Texans will not be able to key on Zach Miller. The Raiders should be able to find some open receivers.

To slow down the Raiders passing attack the Texans will have to put pressure on Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski. With DE Mario Henderson bringing his four sacks into a game against a team with struggling Tackles, this is a very real possibility.

Key Matchup

Texans Run D vs Raiders Run O

The Texans are only allowing 53.3 yards per game at 3 yards per carry. The Raiders are gaining 147.3 yards on the ground per game. Something will have to give.

When the Texans have been beat on the ground it is between the guards. The Raiders will likely look to exploit this as they have had success this season going up the middle. The Raiders are third in the NFL with six carries between the guards by RBs going for more than 10 yards.

Texans-Raiders: One Team Will Bounce Back

The Houston Texans (2-1) rustle their way to Oakland to take on the Raiders (1-2). Both teams are looking to bounce back after losses in Week Three. The Texans lost decisevly 27-13 to the Dallas Cowboys, while the Raiders lost by 24-23 as a 32-yard kick from Sebastian Janikowski sailed wide left as time expired.

This game will feature two of the NFL's best in WR Andre Johnson and DB Nnamdi Asomugha possibly going head-to-head. Johnson is slowed by a high ankle sprain, however, and may not play. Stay tuned, right here, for all injury updates regarding this matchup.

It also features the leading rusher (Arian Foster) and the third leading rusher (Darren McFadden) in the NFL.

Given these things, this game will likely come down to which team can establish its running most effectively. The Texans would look to have the advantage in that regard as they bring in the NFL's second ranked rush defense. The Texans are allowing 54.3 yard per game on the ground. The have given up 133 yard per game on the ground, which is good enough to be ranked 24th in the league.

Passing Defense is another story. With or without Andre Johnson the Texans may have a hard time getting their 8th ranked passing attack going. The Raiders, allowing 127.7 passing yards per game, bring in the second leading passing defense.

The Texans will try to defend the Raiders 19th ranked passing offense, with their last ranked passing defense. The Texans have surrendered 368.7 yards per game through the air.

Check back for a more in-depth analysis of the matchups that will likely determine the outcome of this game.