Raiders Edge Texans 22-20 Behind O'Connell's Late Surge

A Late Drive Seals the Win

Aidan O’Connell delivered the decisive moment of Friday’s preseason contest, scrambling for a one-yard touchdown with just enough time to push the Las Vegas Raiders past the Houston Texans, 22-20. The victory improves Las Vegas to 1-1 on the exhibition schedule, while Houston drops to 0-2 as they continue their preparations at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

First Half Dominance for Houston

The Texans controlled the early tempo, building a commanding 17-3 lead by halftime. Woody Marks provided the initial spark with a 20-yard run in the first period, converting the extra point to make it 7-0. The defense quickly added to that advantage when Wade Woodaz returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown, extending the margin to 14-0.

Ka’imi Fairbairn capped the first quarter with a 51-yard field goal, putting Houston up 17-0.

Las Vegas began chipping away in the second quarter when Matt Gay connected on a 52-yard field goal to make it 17-3. However, Fairbairn answered with a 57-yard kick of his own before the half expired, maintaining Houston’s 17-6 halftime advantage.

Third Quarter Stalemate

The third quarter saw limited scoring action as both defenses tightened up. Dylan Laube broke through for a four-yard touchdown run in the third period, followed by a successful kick from Kansei Matsuzawa. This play brought the Raiders within seven points, making the score 20-10 going into the final frame.

Fourth Quarter Comeback Attempt

Houston’s lead seemed secure until the fourth quarter when Dare Ogunbowale found the end zone on a 19-yard run. Despite the touchdown, the subsequent point-after-touchdown attempt by Matsuzawa failed, leaving Houston with a 20-16 advantage.

The game remained tense until O’Connell took matters into his own hands late in the fourth quarter. The Raiders quarterback rushed for a one-yard touchdown, though again the extra point was missed. This critical score gave Las Vegas a 22-20 lead that they would hold onto until the final whistle.

Key Performances

O’Connell finished with 15 completions on 24 attempts for 166 passing yards. Mike Washington Jr. contributed 56 rushing yards on nine carries, while Brandon Johnson led the receiving corps with two catches for 41 yards.

For Houston, Davis Mills was efficient in limited action, completing 11 of 15 passes for 93 yards. Woody Marks led the ground game with 37 yards on four attempts, including his first-half touchdown. Marlin Klein added three receptions for 31 yards in the receiving corps.

The game drew an attendance of 69,765 to Reliant Stadium, providing a lively backdrop for this closely contested preseason matchup.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873286