Texans vs Raiders Game Thread

The 2017 NFL playoffs commence with this game in Houston between the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders looked like the better team all year, even challenging for the #1 overall seed, before star quarterback Derek Carr was hit with a season ending injury and the Raiders' playoff hopes probably ended with him. Prior to Carr's injury the Raiders had one of the best offenses in the NFL, a perfect foil for the Texans' tough defense. Now we get Connor Cook in his first NFL start, on the road taking on a Texans defense that will probably be too much for the young Raiders quarterback.

Fortunately for the Raiders the Texans have quarterback problems of their own. After doling out a $72 million contract to career backup Brock Osweiler in the 2016 offseason the Texans got exactly what they paid for and were rewarded with backup level play by Osweiler. Eventually the Texans had seen enough quarterback incompetence and switched to backup Tom Savage. Savage, however, was savaged, got concussed, and now it's Brock To The Future for the Texans' scoring challenged offense.

Connor Cook vs. Brock Osweiler in a playoff matchup nobody looked forward to. The only question is which offense will look more incompetent. Not exactly the playoff opener we wanted, but it's what we've got. Raiders vs. Texans, for the right to in all likelihood get dominated next week against one of the top two seeds. Playoff football begins now. As Jets fans you'll be excused for being unfamiliar with the concept.