The Texans started the game with a turnover on their first offensive possession for the second straight week and then threw in an interception a little later to hand the Raiders a 14-0 lead, but they’ve scored the last 17 points and hold a three-point lead at halftime.
Houston can credit a pair of big plays for the turnaround. Case Keenum scrambled away from Raiders defensive end LaMarr Houston, who had a sack and forced an interception with another presure, and hit tight end Garrett Graham for a 42-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The teams traded punts for a while before Keshawn Martin returned a Marquette King punt 87 yards to tie the score and the Texans forced another punt that became a 51-yard Randy Bullock field goal.
All those punts tell you just how well things have gone for the Raiders offense. Matt McGloin threw touchdown passes after each takeaway and is 11-of-17 for 88 yards without turning the ball over, but the Raiders had just one first down on their final five possessions of the half.
The defense has held up fairly well given how much they’ve had to do on Sunday, but you aren’t winning games if you can’t move the ball.