Texans vs Raiders Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Preseason Week 2 on 8/20/2026

The Las Vegas Raiders are set to take on the Houston Texans in a Week 2 preseason game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. This night game kicks off at 8:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026, and will be broadcast on ESPN. Despite the forecast predicting a very hot day, the retractable roof of the stadium means that weather conditions will not affect gameplay.

Both teams are entering this game with a 0-1 preseason record. The Raiders, under head coach Klint Kubiak, suffered a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. Meanwhile, the Texans, led by head coach DeMeco Ryans, were defeated 27-7 by the Los Angeles Chargers.

Last season, the Raiders struggled with a 3-14 record, missing the playoffs. The Texans, on the other hand, had a successful 12-5 regular season and made it to the divisional round of the postseason. The Texans won against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round but were eventually defeated by the New England Patriots.

As both teams look to bounce back from their preseason losses, the betting odds favor the Texans with a moneyline of -131. The Raiders will need a strong performance to overcome their spread of +2.0 and claim a preseason victory.

Texans vs Raiders At a Glance (Preseason Week 2)

• The 2026 Preseason Week 2 game is between the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans.
• The game will take place at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, with a retractable roof.
• Both teams have a 0-1-0 record in the 2026 preseason so far.
• Weather is forecasted as a very hot day with calm and clear skies.
• The Raiders are underdogs with a moneyline of +109 against the Texans' -131.
• The consensus point spread has the Texans favored by 2 points.

Houston Texans: Preseason Preparations and Key Insights for the Game

Offensive Overview

The Houston Texans finished the 2025 regular season with a respectable offensive performance, ranking 12th in points per game with an average of 23.8. They amassed a total of 5,559 offensive yards, placing them 18th in the league. Their passing game was more effective than the run, ranking 14th with 218.1 passing yards per game compared to 21st in rushing at 108.9 yards per game.

In the 2026 preseason, the Texans have shown some struggles, managing only 7 points in their opening game, placing them 17th in scoring. Their offensive yards totaled just 209, ranking 25th, with passing yards falling to 98, ranked 29th, showing a need for improvement in their aerial attack.

Defensive Strength

Last season, the Texans boasted a solid defense, ranking 2nd in points allowed per game at 17.4. They led the league in opponent offensive yards, allowing just 277.2 yards per game. This stout defense was backed by a strong rushing defense, ranking 4th with only 93.7 rushing yards allowed per game.

In the current preseason, the Texans' defense gave up 27 points in their first game, placing them 12th in the league. While their rushing defense maintained a mid-level rank of 15th with 104 yards allowed, the pass defense needs tightening, ranking 27th with 275 passing yards conceded.

Key Players to Watch

Quarterback Davis Mills is expected to play a significant role, having thrown for 82 yards and a touchdown in the first preseason game. Wide receiver Jared Wayne caught 3 passes for 17 yards and a touchdown, making him a target to watch. Running back Noah Whittington will also be crucial, having led the team with 40 rushing yards in their recent game.

On the defensive side, Naquan Jones and Aiden Fisher both stood out with notable tackles, with Jones also contributing a sack. These players will be pivotal in the Texans' efforts to strengthen their defense moving forward.

Injury Report

The Texans face a few injury challenges, including Graham Mertz, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Joshua Pitsenberger is also on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury. Safety M.J. Stewart and linebacker E.J. Speed are both out, dealing with knee and quadriceps injuries, respectively.

Betting Trends

• Texans have won their last 9 regular season games, with a 100% success rate.
• After a win, they have an 8-0 record in their last 8 regular season games.
• As favorites, they are 5-0 in their last 5 regular season games.
• They have also won their last 5 home games in the regular season.
• Following a loss in preseason games, they have a 4-0 record since 2022.

Las Vegas Raiders: A Preseason Test Against the Texans

Quarterback Spotlight

The Las Vegas Raiders enter this preseason matchup with a competitive quarterback room. Kirk Cousins, the seasoned veteran, threw for 50 yards and a touchdown in the first preseason game. Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell also contributed with 97 and 85 passing yards, respectively, adding depth to the Raiders' passing attack.

This diversity in the quarterback position offers the Raiders flexibility in their offensive strategies. With no interceptions thrown by these QBs in the first game, the Raiders' offense has shown promise in ball security, a critical aspect for success.

Running Back Dynamics

The Raiders' backfield is led by Mike Washington Jr., who impressed with 63 rushing yards in the previous game. Ashton Jeanty and Dylan Laube provide additional options, contributing 16 and 11 rushing yards, respectively.

The team's ability to mix up their running game with various backs can keep opposing defenses on their toes. This versatility will be crucial as the Raiders look to control the tempo against the Texans.

Wide Receiver Contributions

Jack Bech stands out among the Raiders' wide receivers, securing 3 receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener. E.J. Williams Jr. and Malik Benson also made their presence felt with significant receiving yards.

The Raiders' receiving corps looks to build on this momentum, aiming to exploit the Texans' secondary with their diverse skill sets. The chemistry between the quarterbacks and receivers will be a focal point in this upcoming game.

Defensive Outlook

Defensively, Patrick Johnson and Cian Slone led the charge with a sack each against the Cardinals. Greedy Vance showcased his tackling ability with 8 solo tackles.

The Raiders' defense will be tasked with containing the Texans' offense, focusing on maintaining pressure on the quarterback and minimizing big plays. The performance of the defensive line and secondary will be instrumental in achieving this goal.

Team Betting Trends

• The Raiders have gone 4-1 in their last five preseason away games in terms of total points.
• In preseason games where they are underdogs, they hold a 3-1 record since 2021.
• After a win in preseason matchups, the Raiders have been 3-1 against the spread in recent games.
• The team’s overall record in the last 15 preseason games for over/under totals is 9-6.

Texans vs Raiders Prediction: Over 39.5

The Houston Texans are coming off a strong regular season performance, highlighted by a 12-5 record. Their offensive capabilities were evident with a point score average of 23.8 per game last season. This suggests they have the potential to contribute significantly to the total score in this preseason game.

On the other hand, the Las Vegas Raiders struggled during their last regular season with a 3-14 record. However, they showed a better offensive output in their preseason opener with 14 points scored. The improvement in their offense indicates they could add enough points to push the game over the total.

Recent head-to-head matchups between these teams have often gone over the total, further supporting an 'over' pick. For instance, the last meeting ended with a total of 44 points. Historical data indicates both teams tend to score more in their encounters, which is crucial for surpassing the set total of 39.5.

Considering the offensive potential and historical performance, the pick is on the 'Over 39.5'. The projected final score is a Texans 24 - Raiders 20, reflecting both teams' ability to generate points in this preseason fixture.

• Texans vs Raiders Prediction: Over 39.5
• Texans vs Raiders Score: Texans 24 - Raiders 20

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