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Raiders edge Texans 22-20 in preseason thriller at Reliant Stadium

Aidan O'Connell led the Las Vegas Raiders to a 22-20 victory over the Houston Texans on Friday. The game featured 17 first-quarter points for Houston before Las Vegas closed the deal.

Owen Iverson

August 21, 20262 min read

preseason football - illustration, Jake Team LLC
preseason football - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NFLFinal
Las Vegas Raiders22
Houston Texans20

August 21, 2026

A First-Half Blitz

The Houston Texans dominated the opening period, scoring 17 points to take a commanding 17-0 lead. The home team struck early with a 20-yard run by Woody Marks, followed by a spectacular 80-yard interception return by Wade Woodaz. Ka'imi Fairbairn added a 51-yard field goal to cap off the explosive first quarter, leaving the Las Vegas Raiders without a single point on the board.

Raiders Respond with Kicks

The second quarter saw a shift in momentum as the Las Vegas Raiders began to answer. Matt Gay connected on a 52-yard field goal to bring the visitors within range, trimming the deficit to 17-3. However, the Texans responded with a 57-yard field goal from Fairbairn, extending their lead to 20-3 by the halftime whistle.

The first half was defined by special teams and defensive stops, with both teams struggling to find consistent offensive rhythm through the air.

Late-Game Surge

The third quarter brought the first Raiders touchdown of the game. Dylan Laube broke the deadlock with a 4-yard run, followed by a successful kick from Kansei Matsuzawa. This play put the score at 10-20, signaling that the visitors were finally gaining traction. The fourth quarter became a tense battle, with both teams managing the clock and seeking the decisive blow.

Final Stretches and Stats

Las Vegas pulled away in the final minutes. Dare Ogunbowale scored on a 19-yard run, though the PAT was missed, making it 16-20. The game was ultimately decided by Aidan O'Connell, who capped a 22-20 victory with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Raiders' kicker, Matsuzawa, missed the PAT on this final score as well, leaving the score at 22-20.

Statistically, the Raiders' offense was more balanced, with Aidan O'Connell completing 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards. Mike Washington Jr. contributed 56 rushing yards on nine carries, and Brandon Johnson hauled in 41 yards. For Houston, Davis Mills passed for 93 yards on 11-of-15 completion, while Woody Marks added 37 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Marlin Klein led the Texans in receiving with 31 yards. The game drew an attendance of 69,765 at Reliant Stadium. The Texans now sit at 0-2, while the Raiders are 1-1.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873286

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Owen Iverson

Owen Iverson covers Dallas high school and area college sports.

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