Battle Red Balls: Wild Card Edition (Raiders v. Texans)

For the first time in the illustrious history of the greatest awards column ever to take place under the Battle Red Balls title on Battle Red Blog, your Houston Texans are in the playoffs and geared up for revenge on the Oakland Raiders.

The loss to Oakland in Mexico City earlier this season was controversial at best. Now, with a Carr-less Raiders coming to Houston, the chance to right a wrong is squarely in the Texans’ sights.

We’re so confident that Houston will stand victorious at the end of the day, we’re handing out game balls right now.

That’s right.

Right.

Now.

Annnnd GO!

Capt Ron:

Offense: Lamar Miller will have a big day in this game as the plan is likely to be conservative to limit turnovers and grind out the clock.

Defense: Benardrick McKinney will lead the team in tackles as the Raiders attempt to run more to protect the 3rd-string QB.

Chris:

Offense: Um... I'll go with Lamar Miller since he had a solid game against Oakland last time around. I'd love to go with Brock Osweiler here, but I just have no confidence in that guy in almost any capacity.

Defense: JD Clowney will WRECK in his first playoff game. After getting some rest last week and being held out of last year's playoff game, he'll show out huge against Oakland Saturday.

Weston:

Offense: C.J. Fiedorowicz. The Raiders have the worst inside linebacker group in the NFL. They can't stop passes against the short middle part of the field. Get ready for a lot of clear out routes so Brock Osweiler can throw quick curls and outs to CJF.

Defense: Jadeveon Clowney. He dismantled Oakland's run game by himself the first time they played. I'm assuming they will do their best to scheme against him, but he can make plays from every part of the line of scrimmage.

BFD:

Offense: Lamar Miller will run up the backs of offensive linemen for 3.8 yards/carry, but he'll do it 28 times and clear 100 yards.

Defense: I think the obvious choice is Jadeveon Clowney, who has been feasting. However, I don't think the Raiders are going to let him be as free as he was the first time around, so I think the second level will step up. As I have almost all season, I'm going with Benardrick McKinney, as he'll get close to 15 tackles.

BattleRedCoat:

Offense: Brock Osweiler, just because who doesn't love a Texans QB controversy?!

Defense: Bernardrick McKinney continues to be my favourite defensive player and wrecks the Oakland running game repeatedly.

Mike Bullock:

Offense: Brock Osweiler. He has a history of pushing the Silver and Black, and if he’s ever going to get back into Uncle Elway’s good graces, sticking it to the Raiders in the playoffs is a good start.

Defense: Jadeveon Clowney. His first playoff start will ignite this big time player to make big time plays in a big time game.

kdentify

Offense: The Polish Hat. Osweiler likes Fiedorowicz, and I suspect the feeling is mutual. That should help the offense overcome it's residual sh.ttiness enough to make me happy at the end of the game.

Defense: I'm not sure I can give it to Romeo Crennel, so I'll give it to Benardrick McKinney, who I expect to force Oakland into passing situations.

Luke Beggs:

Offense: Ryan Griffin. Look to see Griffin used a lot on play action crossing routes. For some reason, defenses can't seem to stop it once the QB can actually hit Griffin in stride.

Defense: A.J. Bouye. The Texans’ leader in passes defended will have a solid day, restricting the amount of balls Amari Cooper will get to see.

UprootedTexan:

Offense: I'm going to say Lamar Miller. Mostly because he looked good against the Raiders last time and I think getting to play at home will only improve against essentially the same cast of characters.

Defense: I'll go with the easy one and say Jadeveon Clowney. I think he's looking forward to getting a second bite at the apple last time. Plus he probably feels like he needs to show up Khalil Mack because of comparison reasons.

TIM

Offense: C.J. Fiedorowicz. With the return of Brock Osweiler comes the return of CJ-350 as an impact player. Fiedorowicz finishes with six catches and at least 60 yards.

Defense: Jadeveon Clowney. Weep for Connor Cook. Clowney comin'.

Who gets your game balls? Hand ‘em out in the comments below!