Break-down Week 16 (HOU Texans)

Game-breaker: The Raiders played a much better game this time around. It was really reminiscent of a much stronger and capable team. I would say Ashton Jeanty was really the stabilizer that ignited the Raiders offense. Again, this was against the best defense in the NFL.

Tale-teller: The fact that the Raiders had the lead at one point and stayed competitive resembled a much better football team than the record would show. They almost came out with a win as they can now focus on refining some players' skills who either belong next year or they won't.

Trend-setter: It was a phenomenal game considering where they've been. There is nothing they can do but build off this game. It could really jolt them in the right direction and give their young players' confidence.

Most-Telling Performances Week 16

Raiders MVP: Ashton Jeanty

In this game, Jeanty was roaming instead of running into his own players, quite frankly. There was more opportunity for open lanes and just more space. Jeanty capitalized on it and had his best game of the season. It was against the best defense in the league which is a big positive. His last TD run was monumental as it cut the game down to one score.

Raiders Offensive MVP: Ashton Jeanty

He exemplified what a young stud RB in his rookie year can look like if he is given more room to run.

Raiders Defensive MVP: LB Devin White

Devin White had a team-high 11 tackles. He also, in great honor, is now the Raiders all-time leader in most tackles in a season!

Raiders Breakout Player: OG Caleb Rogers

Rogers is a rookie and he was responsible for making Jeanty's job a little easier.

Raiders Regressing Player: CB Darien Porter

Porter had a huge penalty in a pivotal part of the game when the Raiders had a chance to get the ball back and go down the field to win the game. He didn't apply smart tactics and got burned.

Getting a Back on Track (Vol. 14)

Finally, RB Ashton Jeanty surpassed his norm in rushing and allowed the Raiders to be much more competitive in this game against HOU Texans. It was a really hard-fought game where there was much more push upfront and gave Jeanty more room to run. It was his best game of the season as he had over 120 yards rushing and 60 yards receiving to give him his best line of the year. It seemed the offensive line had improved as well, as it was apparent that Jeanty was finding creases and running lanes more readily.