When the Texans have the ball

Texans' PASSING GAME VS. Raiders' PASS DEFENSE

COMMENT: Matt Schaub has only two turnovers, including one interception, in two games since he returned from a knee injury. The Texans rank third in offense with 381 yards per game, including fourth in passing (264.6). They've allowed 29 sacks. Schaub got beat up by the Titans but managed to play well. He'll spread the ball around to Andre Johnson, who leads the NFL with 103 catches for 1,408 yards, Owen Daniels (60 for 714) and Kevin Walter (57 for 859 and eight touchdowns). He'll also use Steve Slaton (40 for 305) in the receiving game. The Raiders have outstanding cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who should cover Johnson in a battle of Pro Bowl players. Former University of Texas safety Michael Huff and former Houston cornerback Stanford Routt come off the bench. To try to offset the Raiders' pass rush that's keyed by ends Kalimba Edwards and Trevor Scott, who have five sacks apiece, the Texans should incorporate Slaton into the passing game early on screens.

ADVANTAGE / Texans

Texans' RUNNING GAME VS. Raiders' RUN DEFENSE

COMMENT: The Texans rank 11th in rushing (116.4). The Raiders are 27th in defense (362.2), including 31st against the run (167.1). They allow 4.7 yards per carry. That means Steve Slaton, who has 1,124 yards rushing and a 4.9 average, should have another big day. In his past five games, Slaton has rushed for 579 yards, more than any back in the league during that period. Slaton has helped the Texans rank third with an average time of possession of 31 minutes, 48 seconds. Like Slaton, fullback Vonta Leach is a Pro Bowl alternate. Leach has been a force as a lead blocker. He doesn't get the ball more because of his inconsistent hands. Linebackers Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are the Raiders' best inside and outside players, and they have to be strong, smart and quick enough to fight off the initial block and be prepared to tackle Slaton when he makes his cut.

ADVANTAGE / Texans

When the Raiders have the ball

Texans' PASS DEFENSE VS. Raiders' PASSING GAME

COMMENT: Second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell has struggled in his first season as a starter. He's thrown for 2,039 yards and has completed only 51.7 percent. He has nine touchdown passes and seven interceptions. His rating is 71.9. Russell has been nicked up because he's been hit a lot, as the Raiders have allowed 37 sacks. They've converted only 25.7 percent on third down. Because his team generally falls behind early, Russell is forced to throw. The Raiders are hurting for wide receivers. Russell's favorite target is tight end Zach Miller (50 for 674). Second in receptions is running back Darren McFadden with 22. No wideout has more than 19 catches. This is the second game in a row in which the Texans should be able to provide single coverage on the wideouts and play a safety in the box to help stop the run.

ADVANTAGE / Texans

Texans' RUN DEFENSE vs. Raiders' RUNNING GAME

COMMENT: The Texans rank 24th against the run (125.3), and running is what the Raiders do best, ranking 10th in rushing (118.3). Justin Fargas (749 yards), Darren McFadden (451) and Michael Bush (244) would be a dangerous triple threat on a team that was able to run consistently. McFadden, who was expected to be the most exciting rookie runner, has been hampered because of injuries but averages 4.5 yards per carry along with four touchdowns. Fargas and McFadden have tremendous speed. The Raiders average 4.2 yards per carry, but have only seven rushing touchdowns. The Texans are coming off their best performance against the run. The defense shut down Tennessee's Chris Johnson and LenDale White by playing its most physical game of the season. Opponents have run for 17 touchdowns against the Texans. They have to be disciplined against the Raiders and not get pinched inside and allow Fargas or McFadden to bounce outside.

ADVANTAGE / Raiders

SPECIAL TEAMS

COMMENT: Kris Brown , excellent under pressure, is 25-of-29 on field goals and has scored 107 points. Punter Matt Turk, who's coming off one of his best games, has a 42.8-yard gross and a 36.7 net. He has 15 inside the 20 and six touchbacks. Jacoby Jones averages 12.1 on punt returns, and has had two good ones called back because of penalties in the past three games. Andre' Davis averages 22.7 on kickoff returns. The Texans are sixth in kickoff coverage (21.6 yards) and 12th in punt coverage (8.6). Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, whose leg is one of the league's strongest, is 21-of-27 on field goals. Punter Shane Lechler , who was voted to the Pro Bowl, has a 48.8 gross and a 41.3 net. Johnny Lee Higgins averages 11.1 on punt returns and 23.4 on kickoff returns. Justin Miller averages 25.4 on kickoff returns.

ADVANTAGE / Raiders

COACHING

COMMENT: Gary Kubiak is 21-25 in his third season. In December, he has a 9-4 record, including 7-1 at home. Kubiak has built the Texans' offense into one of the NFL's most prolific, ranking third. One of his strengths is that he's consistent. He doesn't panic when the team has problems. He's done an outstanding job of getting his team ready to play, especially after the 0-4 start. He has problems with replay challenges and clock management, but those problems haven't kept the Texans from going 7-3 over their past 10 games. Raiders interim coach Tom Cable is 2-8 since replacing the fired Lane Kiffin. This is Cable's third year in the NFL, including his second with the Raiders.

ADVANTAGE / Texans

John McClain's prediction Texans 27 / Raiders 17