FLASH RECAP:
Steve Slaton scores two touchdowns and Jacoby Jones has another on a kick return as Houston (2-2) routs offensive-challenged Oakland (1-3) before an announced crowd of 70,291 at Reliant Stadium on Oct. 4, 2009.
The Raiders don't score a touchdown for the second straight game and have only 165 total yards.
Oakland's JaMarques Russell has his third straight ineffective game, completing 12 of 33 passes for 128 yards with no interceptions for a 48.5 rating. He also coughs up one of three Oakland lost fumbles.
Russell, who completes his first three passes against Houston, doesn't get much help from his offensive teammates. Wide receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy and Todd Watkins don't hold onto some catchable passes.
"We counted nine dropped balls," Raiders coach Tom Cable tells reporters after Oakland's second straight loss.
The Raiders rushing attack, considered a strength entering the season, gains 45 yards on 22 carries. Running backs Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas combine for 31 rushing yards on 19 carries. McFadden has a minus-3 yards rushing on six carries.
"We could not run the football and that really disrupted our offense," Cable said.
Houston's Slaton scores on a 32-yard run and an 18-yard reception during the second period to put Oakland in a 20-3 hole. Jones caps the scoring with a 95-yard touchdown return on a Shane Lechler free kick midway through the third period.
With another abysmal showing, the Raiders fall to 25-75 the past 100 games — the worst record in the NFL over that stretch (six plus seasons).
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
Texans defense — The much-maligned unit allows no touchdowns and only 165 total yards. Entering the contest, Houston had surrendered a league-worst 436.7 total yards per games through three games this season. The Texans force three turnovers and have their first safety since 2002.
RB Steve Slaton — His two second-quarter touchdowns — a 32-yard run and 18-yard catch — give the Texans a 20-3 lead.
WR/PR Jacoby Jones — Returns a Shane Lechler free kick 95 yards for a touchdown midway through the third quarter.
K Sebastian Janikowski — Accounts for the Raiders' only points with 46- and 33-yard field goals during the first half.
KEY STATS:
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders coach Tom Cable
"Their defense came prepared to play, and our offense didn't come prepared to play."
Raider RB Darren McFadden
"I really thought I got some things done out there. Whatever it takes for us to win, I guess I must play better.”
Raider QB JaMarcus Russell
BY THE NUMBERS:
2.0: Raiders yards per rush on 22 attempts against the Texans.
156.0: Oakland average total yards the past three games.
DID YOU KNOW?:
LB Thomas Howard — Has one of the Raiders' four sacks on Matt Schaub. Howard also contributes two tackles for loss and four solo tackles.
CB Chris Johnson — His interception late in the first half stops a promising Houston drive, but he also surrenders long completions.
The Raiders have 45 rushing yards on 22 carries. In the season's first three games, the Texans allowed an NFL-worst 205.0 rushing yards per game. Twenty of Oakland's 45 rushing yards come on a reverse by wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Justin Fargas is tackled by Texans LB Brian Cushing for a safety during the third quarter, the first safety allowed by the Raiders on a running play since 1993.
"The problems are right there in front of us. I don’t know if it is necessarily a setback in terms of where we are trying to get to but (this game) we certainly did not get it done. (This) was a setback."
0: Raiders touchdowns the past eight quarters.
The Texans improve to 4-1 overall against the Raiders. Houston is one of five teams with a winning regular-season record against Oakland. The others are Baltimore Ravens (4-1), Kansas City Chiefs (45-51-2), Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (5-4).
10-04-2009
