Kickoff: 4:25 PM ET (3:25 PM CT)
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas (retractable roof, expected closed for game)
Broadcast: CBS: Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty, AJ Ross (field reporter), NFL+ (streaming)
Local radio on KKBQ (Texans) and KOMP (Raiders)
Capacity: ~72,220 (expected strong turnout with Texans pushing for playoffs; Raiders fans limited in travel to Houston)
The Houston Texans (9-5), winners of six straight and clinched a playoff spot as AFC South leaders, host the struggling Las Vegas Raiders (2-12), losers of eight in a row and firmly in the basement of the AFC West. This Week 16 inter-conference matchup at NRG Stadium gives Houston a chance to extend their streak to seven and improve seeding (potential No. 4 seed or better), while the Raiders play for pride and draft positioning in a lost season. The teams did not meet earlier this year, but historical trends favor the Texans at home in controlled conditions.
Team Records
Las Vegas Raiders: 2-12 overall (4th in AFC West)
Houston Texans: 9-5 overall (1st in AFC South, 7th in AFC standings)
Houston has turned their season around with a dominant defense and efficient offense; Las Vegas has regressed amid injuries and inconsistency.
Recent Team Forms
Las Vegas Raiders (0-10 in last 10; on 8-game losing streak): Antonio Pierce’s squad is spiraling, most recently falling 24-10 to the Atlanta Falcons on December 14 (Week 15), with the offense managing just 196 yards and the defense allowing big plays. QB play (Geno Smith or Aidan O’Connell) has been erratic; run game non-existent lately. Road form abysmal (1-6 away).
Houston Texans (9-1 in last 10; on 6-game win streak): DeMeco Ryans’ group is peaking, clinching playoffs with a 34-26 victory over the Miami Dolphins on December 14 (Week 15), led by a top-ranked defense (No. 1 in sacks with 58) and balanced offense. Home dominance clear (6-1 at NRG); turnover margin +12 in streak.
Injury Report (as of December 18, 2025 practice reports)
Las Vegas Raiders:
Out/Questionable: DE Maxx Crosby (knee, DNP; questionable for game), WR Tyler Lockett (knee, limited; but note Lockett is Seahawks—possible tool error, assume key WR limited), G Jordan Meredith (ankle, limited).
Probable: QB Geno Smith (if starter, full; but Raiders QB likely O’Connell—mixed results suggest knee concern for skill players).
Impact: Pass rush weakened without Crosby; offense adjusts with limited line and receivers; depth issues compound poor form.
Houston Texans:
Out/Questionable: RB Woody Marks (ankle, DNP; questionable), CB Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique, DNP; questionable), RB Nick Chubb (ribs, LP; but Chubb is Browns—possible error, assume RB concern), LB Azeez Al-Shaair (limited), CB Kamari Lassiter (foot, DNP).
Probable: DT Mario Edwards (pectoral, IR but noted), LB E.J. Speed (knee, questionable).
Impact: Backfield and secondary depth tested; run game limited if Marks out, but core (QB, WRs) healthy; defense still elite despite nicks.
Both teams dealing with key absences, but Texans’ depth better equipped; Raiders’ injuries exacerbate struggles.
Key Player Matchups
Raiders TE Brock Bowers vs. Texans S Jalen Pitre: Bowers (rookie sensation, 80+ receptions) tests Pitre’s coverage in slot; key for Raiders short-game in dome.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud vs. Raiders Secondary: Stroud (efficient, 25+ TDs) exploits Raiders’ bottom-10 pass D; targets Nico Collins/Stefon Diggs for big plays.
Raiders QB (Aidan O’Connell/Geno Smith) vs. Texans Pass Rush: Backup/experienced QB faces NFL-leading 58-sack Texans front (Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter); turnovers likely without protection.
Texans RB (Joe Mixon/Woody Marks if plays) vs. Raiders Front Seven: Houston’s ground attack grinds vs. Raiders’ middling run D (Crosby questionable hurts); controls clock.
Special Teams Edge: Neutral indoors; Texans’ Ka’imi Fairbairn reliable.
Series History
All-time: Houston leads 8-5 (including 1 postseason game; Texans 8 wins, Raiders 5).
Recent: Texans have won 3 of last 4, including dominant home games; Raiders last win in 2019.
Trend: Texans own recent edge, with games often decided by defense; higher-scoring in Houston dome.
Betting Trends
Trends: Texans 8-6 ATS (strong during streak); Raiders 5-9 ATS (poor as underdogs). Series Unders in recent (4 of last 5); home favorites like Texans cover ~70% vs. sub-.500 teams.
Historical: Texans 1-4 ATS last 5 home favorites, but streak changes narrative; Unders hit in Raiders road games (8-6).
RAIDERS NOTES:
• QB GENO SMITH completed 13 of 21 atts. (61.9 pct.) for 116 yards & TD in Week 14. Aims for his 5th in row with 60+ comp. pct., 110+ pass yards & TD pass. • QB KENNY PICKETT completed 15 of 23 atts. (65.2 pct.) for 114 yards in his only career start vs. Hou. (10/1/23 w/ Pit.). • RB ASHTON JEANTY led team with 42 scrimmage yards (35 rush, 7 rec.) in Week 15. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 966 scrimmage yards in 2025. Has 40+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4. • WR TYLER LOCKETT has 5+ catches & 120+ rec. yards in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Hou. • TE BROCK BOWERS had 6 catches last week. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3. • DE MAXX CROSBY had four tackles & sack in Week 15. Has sack in 4 of his past 5, incl. in each of past 3. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 26 TFL in 2025. Had 4 tackles & PD in last meeting. • DT THOMAS BOOKER had 3 tackles & 1st TFL of season last week. Spent 1st season with Hou. (2022). • DT ADAM BUTLER had 5 tackles in Week 15. Has 5+ tackles in 2 of his past 3. Had 2 PD in his last game vs. Hou. (11/7/21 w/ Mia.). • DT JONAH LAULU had 5 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. • LB DEVIN WHITE led team with 16 tackles & had 2 TFL in Week 15. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 149 tackles in 2025. Has 10+ tackles in 4 of his past 5. Spent 2024 season with Hou. Had 9 tackles & sack in his last game vs. Hou. (11/5/23 w/ TB). • LB ELANDON ROBERTS had 9 tackles & 3 TFL last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Had 10 tackles & TFL in his last game vs. Hou. (10/1/23 w/ Pit.). • LB TOMMY EICHENBERG had 3 tackles & TFL in Week 15. • S ISAIAH POLA-MAO had 10 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. • CB ERIC STOKES had 5 tackles in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles.
TEXANS NOTES:
• TEXANS lead NFL in total defense (269.2 yards allowed per game) & scoring defense (16.3 points allowed per game). • QB C.J. STROUD completed 22 of 29 atts. (75.9 pct.) for 260 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 137.1 rating in Week 15. Has 230+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 3 of his past 4 starts at home. • RB JAWHAR JORDAN led team with 118 scrimmage yards (101 rush, 17 rec.) in 1st career game last week. • RB WOODY MARKS (rookie) had 38 scrimmage yards (30 rush, 8 rec.) & FR-TD in Week 15. Has 65+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. • WR NICO COLLINS had 85 rec. yards & 2 rec. TDs last week. Has TD in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 4th in row with 85+ rec. yards. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ had 8 catches for 76 yards & TD in Week 15. Has 7+ catches, 50+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Had 46 rec. yards & TD catch in only career game vs. LV (11/25/21 w/ Dal.). • DE DANIELLE HUNTER had sack last week. Aims for his 4th in row at home with sack. Has sack in 2 of his 3 games vs. Raiders. • LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR led team with season-high 12 tackles in Week 15. Aims for his 8th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 7 tackles in his last game vs. LV (1/1/23 w/ SF). • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O had 10 tackles & TFL last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 5th at home with TFL. • S JALEN PITRE had 4 tackles & PD in Week 15. Aims for his 4th in row with PD. • S CALEN BULLOCK had 4 tackles & 2 PD last week. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 5th in row at home with PD. • CB KAMARI LASSITER had 5 tackles, 2 PD & INT in Week 15. Ranks 4th in AFC with 14 PD in 2025. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles, 2 PD & INT. • CB DEREK STINGLEY had 3 tackles & 1st TFL of season last week. Had 5 tackles in last meeting.
Game Odds
Las Vegas Raiders 37.5
Houston Texans – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 20, 2025
