Updated

Updated · SportsLine · Aug 20

Jeff Hochman Releases Raiders-Texans Week 2 Spread Pick After 99-88 Top-Rated Run

Updated

Updated · SportsLine · Aug 20

Jeff Hochman Releases Raiders-Texans Week 2 Spread Pick After 99-88 Top-Rated Run

Q: How will the stark contrast between Houston's top-ranked defense and Vegas' struggling offense impact the final score tonight?

Houston’s defense is likely to keep Las Vegas’ scoring down and push this toward a low-scoring Texans win. The matchup strongly favors Houston whenever the Raiders’ offense is on the field. The Texans finished 2025 ranked first in total defense and second in points allowed, and even their preseason depth defenders have produced pressure and turnovers, including Wade Woodaz’s pick-six off rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Las Vegas, by contrast, ranked 32nd in total offense last season, and its preseason opener showed many of the same issues: shaky pass protection, heavy pressure on Mendoza, and limited consistency moving the ball. That gap matters even more in preseason conditions. Houston is expected to rest many defensive starters, but its second-unit front has still shown enough pass-rush depth to challenge a Raiders offensive line that remains unsettled and is dealing with injuries, including Jackson Powers-Johnson’s absence. Mendoza was hit five times in the opener, and if that protection problem continues, explosive drives will be hard to sustain. The result is that Las Vegas may struggle to get much beyond one or two scoring drives unless it gets short fields or benefits from Texans miscues. Houston’s own offense may also be somewhat capped by limited starter usage, which is why the total projects low rather than pointing to a blowout. That is why the under lean makes sense, and why a score in the range of Texans 20-10 or 17-9 fits the evidence best.

3 articles · Updated · SportsLine · Aug 20

Jeff Hochman unveiled his spread pick for Thursday night’s 2026 NFL Week 2 preseason game between the Raiders and Texans.
Both teams enter 0-1 after opening-week losses: Las Vegas fell 27-14 to Arizona, while Houston lost 27-7 to the Chargers.
Las Vegas brings weaker recent form into the matchup after a 3-14 season in 2025, including a 1-7 road record and a last-place AFC West finish.
Houston offers the stronger backdrop after going 12-5 in 2025, finishing second in the AFC South and posting a 7-2 home record.