Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders vs Houston Texans Prediction, Odds and Picks for Sunday, 12/21/25

NRG StadiumCBS
Raiders
3-11
Raiders
Sun Dec 21
Texans
9-5
Texans
Houston Texans
Google News

Raiders vs Texans Pickswise Expert Predictions

Point Spread Pick
HOU Texans -14.0(-110)

The Houston Texans will be trying to extend their winning streak to 7 games when they entertain the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Once 3-5, Houston is suddenly looking like one of the best teams in the NFL — mainly due to its defense. Las Vegas, on the other hand, is certainly one of the worst. As such, I’m willing to give the points; my Raiders vs Texans pick is for the home team to win and cover. Houston is #1 in total defense, #1 in scoring defense, #1 in yards per pass attempt allowed, #3 against the run, #3 in takeaways and #9 in sacks.

Good luck to the Raiders trying to deal with those kinds of numbers. Their offense is generally inept even against mediocre defenses, so it’s hard to see the visitors moving the ball much this weekend. Las Vegas did not score a single point in a Week 15 loss to Philadelphia and it has not posted more than 17 since Week 9. I also got shut out by Kansas City in Week 7. Quarterback Geno Smith is back after being inactive this past week, but it’s not like that should make much difference — if any. Smith has thrown almost as many interceptions (14) as touchdown passes (16) this season.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Houston Texans prediction: Texans -14 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Game Totals Pick
Under 38.0(-110)

A matchup between the best defense in football and an offense that is dead last in both yards and points gives us a recipe for the under. The total is a very low, so I can’t make this anything other than a conservative play — but my Raiders vs Texans pick is Under 38.

No further explanation is needed for why Las Vegas’ output is going to be low on Sunday. The question is just how many points will Houston put on the board. It could be substantial given that CJ Stroud is back under center and he is facing a generous Raiders defense. Once the home team gets comfortably ahead, though, it should be content to run the ball and burn the clock. Las Vegas is actually quite good against the run (3.9 yards per carry allowed), so a conservative offensive approach may not yield an especially large number of points. Houston running back Woody Marks is questionable with an ankle issue, too.

I’m actually not positive that the Raiders will score a single point on Sunday. Of course, there is a chance that the Texans lose interest once they build an inevitable cushion with their lead and surrender a meaningless touchdown or 2.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Houston Texans prediction: Under 38 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Ricky Dimon

Since graduating from Davidson (The College That Stephen Curry Built), I have been writing about sports -- just about any and all you can think of! -- and coaching tennis in Atlanta, GA. Beyond the four major sports, I am an avid tennis fan and cover the ATP Tour on a daily basis. If I'm not busy writing, you can generally find me on a tennis court or traveling the world wherever a sporting event takes me. For Ricky Dimon media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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