2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 8

Oakland Raiders (3-3) at Houston Texans (4-3)

Sunday, October 27, 4:25PM ET

The Houston Texans have had quite the up-and-down season. One week, they’re knocking off one of the league’s top contenders. The next, they’re losing to a divisional foe that many assumed they could defeat. It’s only going to get more difficult as the year progresses.

Can they overcome a similarly fickle Oakland Raiders team in Week 8? I believe so, but it’s going to take a monumental effort from Deshaun Watson and the Texans offense to make it happen. Even against a Raiders defense that’s ranked 24th in the league in yards allowed, don’t expect this to be a cakewalk for the MVP candidate.

Derek Carr will certainly come out flinging the football as well. And with the dependable run game of rookie Josh Jacobs, Oakland isn’t going to be rolled over. Especially against a middle-of-the-road Houston defense, the Raiders will find ways to score on Sunday. Maybe the presence of recently traded Gareon Conley will do the trick for the Texans?

It’s going to be a close one — maybe even more so than most expect. The Texans have done a great job of scoring this season, but their defense has often forced them to get into shootouts. Carr and Co. will do their best, but it won’t be enough at the end of the day.

Prediction: Texans win 36-32