Raiders vs. Texans Live Game Thread

Houston, Tex.-- The Las Vegas Raiders have lost eight games in a row. They will face the Houston Texans, who have won more games in the last three weeks than the Raiders have all season. The Raiders will field arguably the worst offense in the league against the league's best.

The Raiders have all but turned the page on this season. Still, with three games remaining and Las Vegas within striking distance of the No. 1 pick, Sunday's matchup against the Texans has significant implications for both teams. Las Vegas has much more to lose than win on Sunday.

Sunday's Battle

Earlier this week, Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham noted what his primary goal was heading into the Raiders' matchup with the Texans on Sunday. Las Vegas' defense needs a bounce-back performance after several disappointing outings in a row.

"The biggest thing for me, my job is, again, to get these guys prepared. Whether it's the schematics, whether it's the fundamentals, laying out a plan and a routine for the assistant coaches to make sure that we're working on what we need to work on. So that's part of my job description. I have to do that," Graham said.

“And then having those guys ready to go both mentally, physically, and emotionally, using my past experience and just what I know about them to get them prepared. And then from there, then we get to the game, I got to put them in the best spot to be successful.

Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field after loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Graham took responsibility for the defense's shortcomings, even though he had done as much as he realistically could with the personnel he had been given.

"So, whether it's by unit going out there, or situationally, having the right call things that nature, and then when you have a season like it's gone so far, I point the finger to me, first and foremost, obviously I haven't done a good enough job. But thankfully, we get 17 opportunities, and each week is different, and we got a good opportunity this week against the tough football team, Houston," Graham said.

Inactives for #LVvsHOU pic.twitter.com/V0qUUfuCoB
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 21, 2025

Be sure to follow along with our live game thread during the contest.

START OF THE FIRST QUARTER

TURNOVER: Smith throws interception.

SCORING UPDATE No. 1- Smith throws pick 6. Texans up 7-0.

PENALTY: Raiders offense called for holding.

PENALTY: Raiders called for illegal block on punt return.

START OF THE SECOND QUARTER

SCORING UPDATE No. 2: Smith connects with Bowers on a short touchdown pass. Tie game, 7-7.

SCORING UPDATE No. 3: Texans connect on 55-yard FG. Texans lead 10-7.

PENALTY: Texans called for illegal man down field.

SCORING UPDATE No.4: Texans connect on 50-yard FG. Texans lead 13-7.

HALFTIME

The first half went better than most first halves have gone for the Raiders this season. Still, Las Vegas finds itself down at the half, by a score of 13-7. The Raiders have already rushed for over 60 yards, which is a feat in itself. The Raiders still have a chance at winning this game.

However, for that to happen, the Raiders will need touchdowns, as every Texans field goal only makes the Raiders' hole even bigger. For a team that struggles to score 15 points per game, they cannot give up many more points.

SECOND HALF

START OF 3RD QUARTER

SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Raiders take the lead with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Jeanty. Raiders lead 14-13.

PENALTY: Delay of game.

SCORING UPDATE NO. 6: Texans take the lead with a short field goal. Texans lead 16-14.

START OF 4TH QUARTER

PENALTY: Neutral zone infraction on Raiders.

PENALTY: Encroachment on the Raiders.

SCORING UPDATE NO. 7: Texans score again with a CJ Stroud touchdown, taking a 23-14 lead.

SCORING UPDATE NO. 8: Jeanty scores from 51 yards out to make it 23-21.

PENALTY: Pass interference on the Raiders.

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