The Las Vegas Raiders will try to end an eight-game losing streak against a team that can't afford one this late in the season.

The Silver and Black travel to Houston this week to face a 9-5 Texans team fighting to make the playoffs. The possibility of winning the AFC South isn't out of reach for the Texans, only one-game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"They're very solid on special teams. They don't make errors. They're not turning the football over, and they're playing great defense," Pete Carroll said Wednesday morning. "That's enough to win a ton of games."

Here's a quick preview of a couple of matchups for Week 16.

Raiders' pass blocking vs. Will Anderson Jr.

Four weeks ago, the Las Vegas Raiders faced Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, who sacked Geno Smith three times. The Texans have an edge rusher who could have a similar effect in Will Anderson Jr.

The third-year defensive end has notched 10.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles this season. He ranks in the top 10 in the league in each of those three categories. Additionally, he's third in the league in pass rush win rate (23 percent), per ESPN Analytics.

His impact has had a direct correlation to the team's defensive success, as the Texans have allowed the fewest points scored and least yardage to opposing offenses.

"They're fast, physical. They play well," Geno Smith said. "Obviously statistically they're top of the league, number one in pretty much every category. But they play connected, they're not very complex in terms of scheme, but they've guys. They've got guys up front, they've got guys in the back end and they got really good linebackers."

It's going to be tough sledding for the Raiders offensive line which has allowed an average of 5.5 sacks a game since Week 10. Due to injuries, there's been some shuffling across the line over the course of the season. Left tackle Kolton Miller has returned to practice after suffering an ankle injury earlier this year, and his presence could improve the team's pass protection if he's able to suit up.

"As far as us, we have to get movement on the line of scrimmage," Carroll said. "We've got to move the inside guys. The edge guys are going to be crashing down the whole time. We've got to make sure that we're doing a good job of keeping them from owning the game, because they do sometimes, but we've got to get moving inside and make sure that we can make some space for our guys."

Ashton Jeanty vs. Woody Marks

It feels like Woody Marks wasn't supposed to be "the guy" in the Houston Texans backfield this early, yet he's emerged into the role as a rookie.

The fourth-round pick out of USC started the season third on the depth chart, but has gotten a shot due to injuries at the position. He leads the Texans in rushing yards (584) and has scored five total touchdowns. He exited their Week 15 game early due to an ankle injury, but was averaging 4.3 yards a carry before hitting the sideline. While he didn't practice Wednesday, Head Coach DeMeco Ryans downplayed the severity of Marks' injury.

This week provides another head-to-head matchup against another rookie running back for Ashton Jeanty, having already played against the likes of Quinshon Judkins, Omarion Hampton and RJ Harvey. Jeanty ranks second among all rookies in total scrimmage yards (966) and total touchdowns (eight) despite the Raiders' recent run game struggles. Additionally, he ranks top 10 in the league in missed tackles forced (54), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

"I think obviously everybody has their certain expectations, or what they think what's going to happen during the season," Jeanty said, "but it hasn't gone our way, my way, in certain ways, but just got to continue to keep working and make the most of the opportunities we have left."

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