After pregame festivities that featured a tribute to and a moment of silence for Al Davis, the Raiders and Texans set to their 2011 Week 5 match up at Reliant Stadium. K Sebastian Janikowski kicked three field goals of 50 yards or more for the first time in his career, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey scored a critical touchdown in the second quarter and FS Michael Huff preserved the win with an interception in the end zone as time expired as the Raiders defeated the Texans 25-20.
The Raiders won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. WR Jacoby Ford returned the opening kickoff 28 yards to the Raiders 21. QB Jason Campbell and the Raiders offense went three and out and P Shane Lechler punted the ball to the Texans.
WR Jacoby Jones returned the punt to the 30 and a penalty on the Raiders put Houston at their own 35 for their opening possession. Houston went 65 yards in 10 plays and QB Matt Schaub connected with WR Kevin Walter for a 5-yard score. The extra point was good and Houston led 7-0 with 8:09 left in the first quarter.
Ford returned the ensuing kickoff 21 yards to the Raiders 14. The Raiders went three and out and Lechler's 61-yard punt was returned 14 yards by Jones to the Texans 37. After allowing a first down, the Raiders defense got the ball back when DE Lamarr Houston intercepted a pass tipped by DT John Henderson and rumbled 15 yards to the Houston 35. The Raiders were unable to move the ball, however, K Sebastian Janikowski drilled a 54-yard field goal to cut Houston's lead to 7-3 with 3:26 left in the first quarter.
The Raiders held Houston to a three-and-out and LB Bruce Davis blocked P Brett Hartmann's punt and recovered at the Texans 39. The Raiders were unable to overcome a 15-yard penalty and Janikowski come on for a long field goal attempt to start the 2nd quarter.
After the ensuing kickoff and return, the Raiders allowed one pass play for a first down but then forced the Texans to punt. The kick was downed at the 3 and a penalty backed the Raiders up to the 2. Campbell's deep pass down the left sideline for Ford was intercepted by Jason Allen and Schaub then connected with TE Joel Dreesen for a 56-yard catch and run for a TD. The extra point was good and Houston led 14-6 with 11:57 left in the 2nd quarter.
Ford fielded the ensuing kickoff and took a knee in the end zone for a touchback and the Raiders took possession at their 20. The Texans held the Raiders to a three and out and Lechler's 44-yard punt bounced out of bounds at the Houston 38.
The teams traded punts. The Raiders offense got rolling as WR Darrius Heyward-Bey hauled in a Campbell pass, broke a tackle and sprinted to the end zone for a 34-yard TD catch. The two-point conversion failed, and the Raiders trailed 14-12 with 1:09 left in the 2nd quarter.
The Raiders forced a punt and got the ball back with 15 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. Campbell's deep pass down the the right sideline for rookie WR Denarius Moore was overthrown and his pass for WR Derek Hagan on a deep out along the left sideline was incomplete. On 3rd and 10 with two seconds left, Campbell hit Ford for 22-yard gain as the half came to an end.
Jacoby Jones returned Janikowski's kickoff to the Houston 31. The teams traded punts to start the half. Janikowski's 50-yard FG gave the Raiders a 15-14 lead with 5:12 left 3rd quarter and capped an 11-play, 37-yard drive.
DB Danieal Mnnaing returned the ensuing kickoff to the Texans 10. K Neil Rackers came through with a 54-yard FG to give the Texans a 17-15 lead with 1:59 left 3rd quarter.
QB Jason Campbell went to WR Chaz Schilens for an 18-yard TD pass to cap 61-yard drive. The PAT was good and the Raiders led 22-17 with 14:50 left to play.
The ensuing kickoff flew out of the back of the end zone and the Texans took possession at their own 20. The Raiders held them to a three and out and took over at their own 30 after a short Moore return of a Hartmann punt. The Texans returned the favor with what would have been a three and out of their own but RB Rock Cartwright took off on a fake punt and picked up the first down and a whole lot more. After a 35-yard gain the Raiders set up shop at the Houston 28. Janikowski's 42-yard kick was good and the Raiders led 25-17 with 10:00 left 4th quarter.
The Raiders held the Texans to a three and out and Moore returned the punt 21 yards to the Houston 40. Houston held the Raiders to a three and out and Jacoby Jones called for and made a fair catch of a Lechler punt at the Texans 7.
Rackers cut the Raiders lead to 25-20 with 2:56 left to play when he converted a 40-yard field goal attempt.
Ford let the ensuing kick bounce through the end zone for a touchback and the Raiders took possession at their own 20. Houston held the Raiders to a three and out and Lechler came on to punt.
Houston drove to the Raiders 5 with 7 seconds left. FS Michael Huff intercepted a Schaub pass in the end zone to preserve the victory.
The Raiders improve to 3-2 on the season and return home to face the Cleveland Browns at O.co Coliseum.
