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REWATCH: Raiders-Texans on NFL+ PremiumMichael Baca's takeaways:
Fairbairn's leg, Stingley's pick-six gets Texans past Raiders. It didn't take long for Houston's No. 1-ranked defense to make play, with Danielle Hunter's pressure forcing an errant throw that Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted and returned for a touchdown four minutes into the game. From then on, Houston relied on field goals by Ka'imi Fairbairn to get past the hapless Raiders as the offense struggled. With Woody Marks inactive, the Texans were predictable without their leading rusher, and C.J. Stroud's inconsistencies through the air amounted to a rhythmless effort. Stroud (23-of-35 passing for 187 yards) often threw into double coverage as he tried to force balls to Nico Collins, sometimes missing open receivers in the process. The Texans had four three-and-outs in 11 total possessions, including a damning sequence that saw three straight plays that lost yards after surrendering their lead in the third quarter. Fortunately, Fairbairn was money on Sunday, nailing a 49-yarder late in the third quarter to re-take a lead the Texans wouldn't squander. Fairbairn made 55- and 50-yard FGs prior to that, and while the Texans offense eventually found the end zone (with Las Vegas' help), Fairbairn and Stingley sed Houston from doom. Jeanty flashes promise for Las Vegas. The Raiders he been patiently waiting for the performance Ashton Jeanty provided them on Sunday as the rookie running back generated a season-high 188 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in what was undoubtedly his best outing so far. Jeanty highlighted his afternoon with a pair of splash scores in the second half, receiving a 60-yarder from Geno Smith on a wheel route before breaking a tackle to scoot into the end zone to give the Raiders a rare lead and then bursting for 51 yards on a draw play to make it a two-point game in the final frame. Jeanty totaled 128 yards on the ground -- 10 yards shy of his career high -- eraging 5.3 yards per carry off 24 attempts. While the 51-yarder boosted that erage, Jeanty consistently gained yards in chunks against a tough Houston defense. His performance kept the two-win Raiders afloat on the road and gives Las Vegas some hope near the end of what has been a long season. Concerns remain in Houston. Boos cascaded down NRG Stadium for a good majority of the game as the Texans offense continued to disappoint. Those jeers were certainly warranted against a two-win Raiders team, especially considering the early lead Houston's defense provided. With C.J. Stroud and the offense in a self-inflicted struggle, the defense also allowed the Raiders to make it a game. Azeez Al-Shaair's absence was certainly felt as E.J. Speed missed a few tackles despite providing some juicy hits. Houston's offense eventually found the end zone via a Dalton Schultz reception in the final frame, but due in large part to a questionable pass interference call on third down in the previous play. Another DPI late in the game by Las Vegas allowed the Texans to keep the ball. Stroud found Nico Collins for 24 yards to officially ice the game, arguably providing the biggest roar of pleasure from Houston fans after the Texans snuck away with a stinker that keeps their postseason hopes alive.Next Gen Stats Insight for Raiders-Texans (via NFL Pro): Ashton Jeanty recorded 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against the Texans in Week 16 (+39 RYOE), including a career-high 104 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries between the tackles. Jeanty also generated 109 yards after contact, his second-most in a game this season, and turned his lone reception into a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
NFL Research: Ashton Jeanty is the first rookie to he a rushing and receiving TD of 60-plus yards in their rookie season since Kareem Hunt in 2017 (joined Hunt and Ezekiel Elliott in 2016 as the only rookies to do so in the last decade). Jeanty joined Hunt, Elliott and Adrian Peterson in 2007 as the only players since 2000 to he a 60+ yard rushing TD and receiving TD at 22 years old or younger.