HOUSTON, TX — The stage is set for another electrifying AFC Championship showdown at NRG Stadium as the Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders collide for a second straight year with a trip to the 2K OLF Super Bowl on the line. The Texans are eager to repeat last season’s 34-31 win, while the Raiders arrive determined to rewrite history.
Previous Meeting
These two squads met in Week 2, with the Texans grabbing a 27-14 road win behind C.J. Stroud’s 277 passing yards and Glenn Wimbley’s 56 rushing yards. The Texans also bested the Raiders 34-31 in last year’s AFC Championship, adding extra fuel to this high-stakes rematch.
Team Leaders
The Raiders offense is led by quarterback Trent Carney, who racked up 4,851 yards and 40 touchdowns this season. He’ll lean heavily on tight end Brock Bowers, who has 1,501 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. On the ground, Imani Younger anchors the backfield with 1,260 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Houston’s offense is powered by C.J. Stroud, who threw for 3,158 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. Glenn Wimbley has been the workhorse on the ground, rushing for 1,421 yards and 12 scores, while Stefon Diggs has 1,115 receiving yards despite a late-season injury.
Injuries
The Texans will be without safety Calen Bullock (fractured shoulder blade), running back Ty Chandler (torn rotator cuff), left tackle D.J. Humphries (torn tricep), and wideout Stefon Diggs (partial ACL tear). The Raiders face defensive losses with defensive tackle Johnnie Bruce (dislocated elbow) and safety Trey Taylor (torn rotator cuff) sidelined.
Player to Watch
All eyes are on C.J. Stroud, who returns for his first game since suffering a lower-body injury in Week 15 against the Browns. Texans head coach Sean Nguyen was tight-lipped about the injury, but Stroud told reporters after practice: “I feel great. We’ve worked hard to get here, and I’m ready to lead this team again.”
What to Watch
Can the Raiders defense — ranked first in points and yards allowed — contain the Texans’ balanced attack with Stroud back in the fold? The Texans, meanwhile, must find ways to neutralize Carney’s deep passing game and Younger’s punishing ground presence. Key battles in the trenches will decide who gets to play for a title.
The Raiders will win if…
They control the line of scrimmage and limit turnovers. If Carney finds Bowers early and Younger can grind out yards, the Raiders will have their shot at revenge.
The Texans will win if…
Stroud can quickly find his rhythm after missing time and avoid mistakes against the Raiders’ opportunistic defense.
