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The Oakland Raiders have been a pleasant surprise so far this season. However, they've also been a very inconsistent team. At 3-3, one week the Raiders are on top of their game and look like a well-oiled machine. The next week they stumble out of the gate and never find their footing though.
Due to that, it's hard to predict much with them. Simply put, you never know what version of the team you'll get.
Now they face off with the 4-3 Houston Texans in Week 8. If the Raiders are going to win they'll need to be on top of their game. Here are four reasons that will happen in Week 8.
4. Josh Jacobs Gets Healthy
Okay, admittedly this is more of a hopeful scenario for the Raiders. Currently, Josh Jacobs is questionable for Week 8.
The running back has been phenomenal in his rookie season. He has 554 rushing yards on 109 attempts (5.1 yards per carry). Add in his four rushing touchdowns and you've got yourself an elite runner.
Jacobs has been one of the main reasons for offensive success for the Raiders this year. They've had a running back that takes tons of pressure off of quarterback Derek Carr and that's made a major difference.
If he's healthy, he's going up against one of the best running defenses in the NFL (tied for third with 84.3 rushing yards allowed per game).
That makes it pretty clear why he has to play. Jacobs gives the Raiders their best chance to break through that defense. Without him, they might have to abandon the run pretty early on. A one dimensional offense likely isn't beating this Texans team.
However, Jacobs has shown he can run against nearly anyone this year. So if he's healthy, the Raiders will likely trust him enough to at the very least keep Houston honest on defense. That will make a serious difference in the outcome.
3. Darren Waller
Darren Waller has enjoyed a breakout season all year at tight end. However, it was Week 7 that he made sure everyone knew his name.
Going up against the Green Bay Packers, Waller had his second massive game of the year.
The seven receptions were tied for his second most this year. Meanwhile, the 126 yards were also the second most. Then there were the two touchdowns. Not only is that the most he has scored all year, those were his first two touchdowns since 2016.
Waller is officially on the map to everyone in the NFL world. If you weren't already on board, you should be now.
Waller gives the Raiders a legitimate receiving threat. Not only that, but he's a solid run blocker as well.
Oakland has definitely leaned on him at times, and this could definitely be one of those games. This will likely be a high scoring affair. The Raiders will need to punch back after a few Texans touchdowns. That means going to the air and Waller can provide the rest.
And if they are running a lot, Waller's got the lead blocks for Jacobs. Houston might not be able to contain the tight end who is looking to stay scorching hot.
2. Will Fuller Injury
The Texans have someone that many believe to be the best wide receiver in the NFL in DeAndre Hopkins. He can single-handedly change a game as it's nearly impossible to defend him.
It also helps that they have a fantastic quarterback throwing him the football. Deshaun Watson has been phenomenal and makes Houston's passing offense that much more lethal.
However, they aren't the only two big names. Will Fuller is an absolutely lethal threat. I mean, he literally had a game this year where he posted 217 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 14 receptions.
That's absurd to say the least.
He's doubtful for the Week 8 matchup though. That makes things a lot easier on Oakland. Yes, they still have to deal with Hopkins, but that's their main concern now. They won't have to worry about how keeping two sets of eyes on Hopkins leaves Fuller alone to abuse someone else.
It's a hollow point as there is still so much to worry about for Oakland. But no Fuller could be a momentum shifter for the Raiders.
1. Momentum
The Raiders lost their last game 42-24 to the Packers. However, they are still 2-1 in their last three contests.
Meanwhile, the Texans have the exact same scenario going on. They lost their last game to the Indianapolis Colts 30-23, but are still 2-1 over their last three contests.
So why is momentum in Oakland's favor? They're the team that wasn't supposed to be here. At 3-3, they are surpassing the expectations of many.
Meanwhile, at 4-3, you could argue that the Texans have been a little disappointing this year. The record still isn't bad, but they could've been amongst the truly elite.
At the same time, that Week 7 loss has to sting more for them. They lost a close game to a divisional rival. Not only that, but it put the Colts ahead of them in the standings for first place in the AFC South.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are in second in the AFC West when many thought they'd be in third at best.
They're rolling in feeling good about their place while the Texans might be a little worried. That could play a role in the outcome of this game.
