FLASH RECAP:
David Carr throws for a touchdown and Jonathan Wells rushes for another as Houston overcomes Oakland before an announced crowd of 70,741 at Reliant Stadium on Oct. 3, 2004. Four Kerry Collins turnovers in the second half dooms Oakland to a franchise-record 11th consecutive road loss.
Wells has a career-high 105 yards rushing for Houston, which wins its second straight game for the first time in franchise history. Oakland's defense, which entered the game ranked sixth in the league against the run (allowing 88.7 yards per game), surrenders 162 rushing yards and has only one sack. The Raiders had nine sacks in two wins against Tampa Bay and Buffalo.
After winning two straight home games, the Raiders (2-2) fail to answer the fired-up Texans. Houston sets a franchise record for points (30) and equals a franchise record for takeaways (five).
Collins, starting his first Raiders game after Rich Gannon sustains a neck injury against Tampa Bay on Sept. 26, has a woeful efficiency rating of 41.2 after completing 21 of 38 passes for 237 yards and three interceptions. He also loses two fumbles.
The Texans score 20 points off of five Raiders turnovers.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
Texans O-Line - The unit allows only one sack (after surrendering 10 in the season's first three games) and opens holes for backs who rush for 162 yards.
MLB Jamie Sharper - Sets the tone for the outcome by forcing a Kerry Collins fumble on a blitz and then retruning it 16 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter to give the Texans a 10-3 lead.
QB David Carr - Completes 14 of 23 passes for 228 yards and one TD with no interceptions.
CB Dunta Robinson - The rookie from South Carolina makes two interceptions and six tackles.
WR Andre Johnson - Contributes 115 receiving yards on six catches, including a 15-yard TD catch early in the fourth quarter that puts the Texans in command at 27-17.
RB Amos Zereoue - Rushes for 117 yards and two TDs, but only 13 of those yards come in the second half. His career-high 55-yard TD run lifts Oakland to a 10-all deadlock in the second quarter.
WR Ronald Curry - Contributes 5 catches for 69 yards.
K Sebastian Janikowski - Hits a 50-yard field goal, but misses from 35 yards - ending his streak of 40 straight from under 45 yards.
GOAT:
Raiders QB Kerry Collins. The 10-year veteran commits turnovers (3 interceptions, 1 lost fumble) on four straight drives during the second half. Collins also loses a fumble during the second quarter that is returned for a touchdown by Texans linebacker Jamie Sharpe.
KEY STAT:
Five Raiders turnovers lead to 20 Texans points.
BY THE NUMBERS:
0: Raiders second-half points.
9: Raiders turnovers in two road games this season.
11: Consecutive Raiders road losses.
13: Raiders penalties for 75 yards, compared to only four penalties for 25 yards for the Texans. Eight of Oakland's penalties are false starts.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders QB Kerry Collins
"The bottom line is I made stupid throws and gave them the ball. I put this all on me. I've just got to be smarter."
"This was one we had to get. We're trying to win a division and a championship. It shouldn't be shocking for me to say that."
Texans QB David Carr
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Texans needed 36 games - longer than any other NFL expansion team - to win consecutive games.
Raiders RB Amos Zereoue (28) tries
to elude Texans LB Jamie Sharper (55).
