Questionable officiating dominated the Oakland Raiders' 27-20 win over the Houston Texans in Mexico's Azteca Stadium. DeAndre Hopkins had an opening drive touchdown disallowed, and two short yardage situations late in the game were both ruled in Oakland's favour, the last of which set up a game winning drive for the Raiders.
In 140 Characters...
Raiders lead AFC West after questionable officiating holds Houston back. Hopkins TD and short yardage situations could have affected game.
MVP
With no run game to speak of (Oakland totalled 30 rushing yards as a team), it was the wide receiver trio of Jamize Olawale, Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper and their ability after the run that led to the Raiders' eighth win.
170 yards of quarterback Derek Carr's 295 passing came after the catch, including big touchdown scores from Olawale and Cooper to close out the game.
Game-changer
After Lamar Miller was ruled short on third down, Brock Osweiler handed the ball off to Akeem hunt. With six minutes left the Texans need just inches on fourth down but failed to get it. Bill O'Brien challenged the decision but to no avail, and the Raiders took over to score the game winning touchdown.
What makes it harder to swallow for Houston is that they were in field goal range, and could have taken the lead.
Stat of the night
4 - The Raiders haven't won four games straight since 2002, when they went to the Super Bowl.
The game
Houston scored on the opening drive of the play but were held to a 32 yard field goal following close coverage from the Raiders defence. They could have had a touchdown, as DeAndre Hopkins made the end zone, but officials determined the wide receiver stepped out of bounds. Replays looked inconclusive, and O'Brien was unable to challenge the ruling.
Oakland were gifted 33 yards late in the first quarter when Jonathan Joseph was called for pass interference, moving them from midfield all the way to the redzone. Derek Carr took full advantage, passing short to Jalen Richard who dived through two Houston defenders into the end zone.
The Raiders, well supported by the Mexican crowd, added a 19 yard field goal early in the second quarter, before the Texans levelled with a 75 yard, nine play drive. Lamar Miller thought he had scored three plays earlier, but on review his 34 yard run was ruled out of bounds a yard short. Instead, after being driven back on their next two plays, Osweiler found Braxton Miller for the 12 yard score and his first career touchdown reception, to leave the sides 10-10 at the half.
The third quarter started brightly for Houston who picked off Carr on the first play. Cornerback A.J Bouye intercepted the pass intended for Cooper, and the Texans went on to score as Lamar Miller finished a 13 play drive with a 1 yard rush.
The teams exchanged field goals before the Raiders tied it up at 20-20 early in the fourth quarter, with a 75 yard catch and run touchdown for Jamize Olawale. Dropping deep, Carr threw 25 yards to Olawale in open space and the former special teams player accelerated untouched from midfield to the end zone.
There was more officiating controversy on Houston's next drive, as Lamar Miller looked to have made the two yards needed on third down, but was ruled short. The Texans then went for it again, but were denied once more. Despite the challenge flag from head coach Bill O'Brien, the ruling was upheld, handing possession to Oakland.
They made it count, as Carr took just five plays to march his team down the field, hitting Latavius Murray for a 39 yard gain before Cooper sent two tacklers the wrong way for a 35 yard touchdown score.
The Raiders move to 8-2, leading an extremely competitive AFC West. Carr continues to show form that makes him an outsider for season MVP, and the defence made stops where it counted.
The Texans have every right to feel aggrieved after a game where none of the big decisions went for them. They remain a game ahead of the Colts and Titans in the AFC South but face a tough run in if they are to qualify for the post-season.