The year of 2002 provided an exciting year for both the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders. The Texans were entering the NFL as a new team while on the other hand the Raiders were appearing in their fifth Super Bowl.
The addition of the Texans into the league brought another team that would challenge the Raiders seemingly each year. Although the history might not be as deep as the Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, or 49ers, intense games between the two have still ensued. The 2008 meeting offered one of the more exciting Raider victories in recent memory.
The chilly December afternoon at the Alameda-County Coliseum resulted in a Raider victory, as the Silver and Black were nearing the end of the regular season and looking to head into the offseason on a high note. The Raiders had the first score of the game with a 20-yard TD catch by WR Chaz Schilens. As Houston fought back to tie the game 13-13 in the second quarter, the two teams headed into the locker room.
In the second, 29-yard Johnnie Lee Higgins' catch-and-run for a touchdown provided a score to put the Silver and Black on top.
Perhaps the most exciting moment of the game came in the final minutes of the third quarter, as Higgins once again lit up the scoreboard. Higgins zipped down the field 80 yards to score on a punt return and advance the Silver and Black's lead. Entering the fourth quarter with a 27-13 lead, the Raiders demonstrated dominance on the defensive side holding the Texans to only one field goal the entire second half. The Raiders were able to hold off the Texans and claim victory with a score of 27-16.
Since the Texans entered the NFL in 2002, the Raiders and the Houston franchise have met several times despite not playing in the same division. This year, the Texans return to Oakland as the two clubs will lock horns for the fifth season in a row.
