Late Surge Seals Narrow Win
The Las Vegas Raiders overcame a significant first-half deficit to secure a 22-20 preseason victory against the Houston Texans on Friday night at Reliant Stadium. While Houston controlled the opening period and maintained its lead through halftime, Las Vegas mounted a decisive fourth-quarter comeback, capped by a rushing touchdown from Aidan O'Connell.
Early Texans Dominance Collapses
Houston established early control, jumping out to a 17-0 advantage in the first quarter. The Texans’ offense found rhythm with Woody Marks, who rushed for 37 yards on four carries, including a 20-yard touchdown run that gave Houston its first lead. Defensively, the Texans capitalized on a critical turnover when Wade Woodaz returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown, extending the margin to 14-0.
Ka'imi Fairbairn added a 51-yard field goal just before the quarter ended, pushing the score to 17-0.
The second quarter offered little momentum shift for Las Vegas. Matt Gay kicked a 52-yard field goal for the Raiders, bringing the halftime score to 17-3. However, Fairbairn answered with a 57-yard field goal of his own before the break, making it 20-3 at intermission.
The Texans’ defense effectively stifled the Raiders' offense for the first half, holding Las Vegas scoreless until that single field goal.
Raiders Reclaim Lead in Fourth
Las Vegas began chipping away in the third quarter as Dylan Laube punched in a 4-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful kick from Kansei Matsuzawa. The Raiders closed the gap to 20-10 heading into the final period.
The game’s turning point arrived in the fourth quarter. Dare Ogunbowale provided a spark for Houston with a 19-yard touchdown run, though the subsequent PAT failed, leaving the Texans clinging to a 20-16 lead. The Raiders responded immediately.
Aidan O'Connell, who completed 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards, took the snap and ran for a 1-yard touchdown. With another failed PAT by Matsuzawa, the extra point did not extend the lead, but the six points were enough to seal the 22-20 win.
Key Performances and Final Standings
O'Connell was instrumental in the comeback, contributing significantly on the ground with his game-winning run. Mike Washington Jr. led Las Vegas in rushing with 56 yards on nine carries, while Brandon Johnson accounted for 41 of O'Connell's passing yards on two receptions.
For Houston, Davis Mills managed the offense efficiently in limited action, completing 11 of 15 passes for 93 yards. Marlin Klein was the primary receiving target, hauling in three catches for 31 yards. Despite the loss, the Texans finished the game with a 0-2 record, while the Raiders improved to 1-1. The contest drew an attendance of 69,765 at Reliant Stadium.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873286
