Published Dec 18, 12:01pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 18, 12:01pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Dec 18, 12:01pm ET
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| Houston Texans | -14 (-105) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +14 (-115) |
The once-mighty Raiders have become a punching bag. Their entire 2025 season has declined into an annual disaster. It's pointless to go through the litany of mistakes that have been made. Suffice it to say, they are on the level of an expansion team with a few decent pieces in place for whoever takes over as the 2026 head coach to try to cobble together a competent on-field product.
They do not have a quarterback. Head coach Pete Carroll will be a one-and-done. It's difficult to know who's making the decisions with Mark Davis not having the bona fides or personality of his late father Al Davis. Tom Brady's role is a mystery.
The Week 15 loss to the Eagles was the latest humiliation. With Kenny Pickett starting at QB for the injured Geno Smith, they managed 75 total yards.
That's seven-five.
That's for the entire game.
The #Raiders totaled 75 yards in today's 31-0 shutout loss to the Eagles.
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) December 14, 2025
It's just the second time in franchise history the Raiders have totaled 75 or less yards in a game. The last time was in 1961. Before the AFL-NFL merger. pic.twitter.com/2HoK2WLLbw
The reeling, infighting Eagles suddenly found their footing. Jalen Hurts had a passer rating of 154.9, completed 12 of 15 passes for 175 yards, and the game was so out of hand that he was pulled by the start of the 4th quarter in favor of rookie Tanner McKee.
Houston is well-advised to get this game over with in a similar fashion and get QB C.J. Stroud and their other key players out.
Smith is expected back under center, for whatever that's worth.
ALSO SEE: Falcons vs Cardinals | Week 16 Odds & NFL Pick (Dec 21)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Tyler Lockett, WR | INJURED |
| Maxx Crosby, DE | INJURED |
| Jeremy Chinn, S | INJURED |
The Texans started the season 0-3 and were under siege. Since then, they have won 9 of 11, with those two losses being to top contenders the Seahawks and Broncos. They've beaten the Ravens, 49ers, Bills, Colts, and Chiefs. They are becoming the dreaded "team nobody wants to play" in the playoffs.
While they're known for their hard-hitting, pass-rushing, receiver-punishing defense, their offense is hitting its stride at just the right time. Not only is Stroud back from his concussion, but they might have found a feature back in Jawhar Jordon. In his first NFL game, the 2024 6th-round draft pick ran for 101 yards on 15 carries in the Week 15 blowout of the Cardinals.
Jawhar Jordan goes 50 yards in his first NFL game 💪
— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025
AZvsHOU on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/2oNLkO4cxB
The Jaguars are in pole position in the AFC South, but if they slip up, the Texans could swoop in and take the division.
Houston is leading the NFL in fewest points allowed per game at 16.3. They are 2nd in the league in takeaway differential at +14. If their offense is passable, they are a legitimate threat to get through the parity-laden AFC and make it to the Super Bowl.
They are not blowing all that by losing to the Raiders.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Derek Stingley, CB | INJURED |
| E.J. Speed, LB | INJURED |
| Sheldon Rankins, DT | INJURED |
| Kamari Lassiter, CB | INJURED |
| Azeez Al-Shaair, LB | INJURED |
| Trent Brown, OT | INJURED |
| Denico Autry, DE | INJURED |
| Nick Chubb, RB | INJURED |
| Woody Marks, RB | INJURED |
| Darrell Taylor, DE | INJURED |
For Week 16 Raiders-Texans, the game is a mismatch on paper and it should be so in reality. The only danger for Houston is looking past this game, which should be little more than an exhibition, and thinking about their trip to Los Angeles to play the Chargers in Week 17.
It's a heavy spread, currently at 14 points. But the Texans should not have a problem covering it
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Pick
Houston Texans -14
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