Both the Raiders and Texans had similar seasons coming into their matchup Sunday. They both had one win to their names and had been part of several close games.
For the first three quarters, this game was shaping up just that way.
The two changed leads throughout the first three quarters, with the Texans holding a 20-17 lead as the teams went into the fourth quarter. But a few minutes in the Raiders took the lead and then ran away with the game, scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter while holding the Texans scoreless to win 38-20.
Lots of credit to go around. But one clearly stood out above the rest.
Ballers
RB Josh Jacobs
One of the most impressive performances in the 15-year history of this series. All the more impressive considering he did most of his damage in the second half.
Jacobs had a decent 45 yards on 10 carries going into the third quarter. Then he exploded in the second half.
On the first offensive play for the Raiders in the third quarter, he ran for 11 yards. Then he had runs of six, 12, six, and finally four yards in a pitch for the touchdown to give the Raiders a 17-13 lead.
The next drive, he had another 12 yards off a pitch. Next play, he got the ball, drew defenders and passed it back to Derek Carr who found an open Mack Hollins for 18 yards. Then in first and goal from the seven-yard-line, Jacob finished it off for his second TD of the day to retake the lead at 24-20.
Next drive, he made it a TD hat trick. But he also did the work to get there. First play, he broke a tackle and then drove through defenders to pick up 12 yards. On the next play, because he had established himself as such a threat, the Texans bit hard on the play action leading to a wide open 27-yard completion. And then Jacobs for 13 more yards on a pitch on the following play. A few plays later, he went up the middle and weaved 15 yards for the touchdown to give the Raiders a commanding 31-20 lead.
Jacobs finished with 155 yards from scrimmage which included 143 yards and three TDs on 20 carries. In the second half, he averaged nearly ten yards per carry and had a touchdown on a third of those carries. That’s insane.
LT Kolton Miller, LG Dylan Parham, C Andre James, RG Alex Bars, RT Thayer Munford, TE Foster Moreau, WR Mack Hollins
This sizable group of players make up those who were most often responsible for laying key blocks to help Jacobs break off his big runs in this game.
The Raiders scored their first touchdown to end the second quarter. It was…
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