Preview: Raiders at Texans HOUSTON (Interstat) — A surging Houston Texans team hosting a struggling Las Vegas Raiders squad presents a stark contrast in fortunes when the two meet Sunday at NRG Stadium. The Texans (9-5) enter on a three-game winning streak and firmly in the AFC playoff picture. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is playing at an elite level, coming off a performance where he completed 22 of 29 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-20 rout of Arizona. In his last three games, all victories, Stroud has thrown for 739 yards and four touchdowns while adding 15 rushing yards. Conversely, the Raiders (2-12) are mired in a dismal season, having lost eight straight games. They are coming off a 31-0 shutout loss in Philadelphia where the offense managed just 110 total yards. Quarterback Kenny Pickett, a player to watch for Las Vegas, was limited to 64 passing yards in that defeat. In relief duty the previous week against Denver, he showed a spark, completing 8 of 11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Despite the records, the statistical projection suggests a potentially closer contest than expected. National Statistical’s game simulator forecasts a 31-24 Houston victory. The Raiders have been installed as a significant pregame underdog at +14.5, with the over/under set at 37.5 points. Houston’s defense, which has held opponents to 20 points or fewer in four of its last five games, will look to contain a Las Vegas offense that has been held to 17 points or fewer in seven consecutive contests. The Raiders will rely on running back Ashton Jeanty, who had 42 total yards last week, and return specialist Dylan Laube, who had 99 kick return yards against the Eagles, to provide a spark. For the Texans, the running back tandem of Jawhar Jordan, who rushed for 101 yards last week, and Woody Marks complements Stroud’s efficient passing attack. Houston can solidify its postseason positioning with a win before a short-week trip to face the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders, looking to halt their lengthy skid, continue a tough closing stretch before hosting the New York Giants next. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.