MNF Preview: Texans and Raiders Bring the NFL to Mexico

For the first time in eleven years, the NFL returns to Mexico City.

The league’s first international regular season game was the Arizona Cardinals against the San Francisco 49ers (31-14) over ten years ago.

Tonight, the first Monday Night Football game will be played outside the United States as the Oakland Raiders take on the Houston Texans.

https://twitter.com/NFLUK/status/800738213665112068

Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler says this opportunity will be a great experience for both teams.

Keys to the Game

Going into Week 10, the Raiders are 7-2 and the Texans are 6-3.

The last time these two teams played was Week 2 of the 2014 Season.

Oakland feels pretty good about the way they blocked Denver into oblivion in their previous game. NT Rodney Hudson has been playing the best football of his career. WR Andre Holmes has not only accepted a lesser role without complaint, he has thrived in it. With a constant running game, Derek Carr will be even more dangerous in play-action.

Without J.J Watt, the Texans are still ranked fourth in total defense, but are 25th in rush defense. Kareem Jackson returned an interception for TD last week, making that his third career pick-6. DeAndre Hopkins remains the most dangerous threat in their offense.

Quarterback Brock Osweiler threw for 308 yards against Oakland last year when he played for Denver.

Last time Brock Osweiler faced the @Raiders, Khalil Mack sacked him 5 times (Week 14, 2015)#HOUvsOAK pic.twitter.com/JQtWILCFLD

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 21, 2016

Injuries

Houston – Out: RB Alfred Blue (calf), RB Jonathan Grimes (illness), WR Jalen Strong (ankle). Questionable: WR Will Duller (knee), RB Jay Prosch (hamstring), DT Vince Wilfork (groin).

Oakland: Questionable: WR Amari Cooper (back), C Rodney Hudson (knee), DT Stacy McGee (ankle), RB Latavius Murray (ankle), G Kelechi Osemele (knee), CB Sean Smith (shoulder).

Prediction:

The Raiders have won three consecutive games and six of their past seven. The Texans have been blown out in three of four road games and now face the NFL’s fifth-ranked scoring team on foreign soil.

Our pick: Oakland wins.