Raiders Facing NFL’s Toughest Defense-and a Nico Collins Problem That Can’t Be Ignored
The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t exactly made life easy for themselves this season. Offensive struggles have been a recurring theme, and while some of that falls on their own execution, the schedule hasn’t done them any favors either.
Since their Week 6 win over the Titans, the Raiders have run a brutal gauntlet of defenses-six of their last eight opponents rank in the top 10 in scoring defense. And the two "easier" matchups?
One came against a Cowboys team that had just added Quinnen Williams. The other?
The Cleveland Browns, who happen to have Myles Garrett.
Now, with Week 16 looming, things don't get any easier. The Raiders are set to face the 9-5 Houston Texans, who boast the league’s best defense-by a wide margin.
Houston ranks No. 1 in both points and yards allowed, and they’ve only given up more than 20 points twice all year. Since Week 10?
Zero times.
Pete Carroll Sounds the Alarm on Nico Collins
While all eyes are understandably on how the Raiders’ struggling offense will try to move the ball against Houston’s elite defense, head coach Pete Carroll has another concern on his radar: Texans wide receiver Nico Collins.
Speaking on a local radio hit, Carroll didn’t mince words about the threat Collins poses.
“Nico is a game breaker,” Carroll said. “He’s got the ability to make plays, steal the ball away from you, get guys deep.
He’s a possession guy when they need him to be. By far the most targeted receiver they have and the most explosive.”
Carroll also made it clear that while Houston has other capable weapons, Collins is the one that can tilt the field. If the Raiders don’t find a way to slow him down, Carroll warned, “they're going to have a pretty easy go at it.”
That’s not just coach-speak. The numbers back it up.
Despite missing a game and dealing with quarterback uncertainty, Collins has already crossed the 1,000-yard mark on the season-64 catches, 1,001 yards, and six touchdowns. And he’s heating up at the right time.
Over his last three games, he’s racked up 304 yards and two scores on just 12 catches. That’s not just production-it’s efficiency and explosiveness rolled into one.
Las Vegas Secondary Needs a Reset-Fast
The Raiders’ secondary has had its moments this season, but lately, it’s been more shaky than solid. Last week’s game against the Eagles was a low point, with big plays piling up and coverage breakdowns becoming too common. If Las Vegas is going to have any shot at slowing down Collins and the Texans’ passing game, they’ll need a bounce-back effort-especially from corners Eric Stokes and Darien Porter.
Collins isn’t just a vertical threat. He’s a complete receiver who can win in multiple ways-on the boundary, over the middle, after the catch. That versatility makes him a nightmare for defenses that aren’t disciplined in coverage or sound in their tackling.
Houston Can Beat You in More Ways Than One
The scary part for Las Vegas? Even if they manage to contain Collins, Houston has other ways to beat you.
Their defense is suffocating. Their offense is opportunistic.
And they don’t need 30 points to put a game away.
For the Raiders, this is shaping up to be another uphill battle. The offense has to find a way-any way-to move the ball against a defense that’s been locking teams down for months. And on the other side, the secondary has to step up in a major way to avoid getting torched by one of the league’s most underrated receivers.
If they don’t? Pete Carroll’s warning may turn into a prediction. And the Raiders could be staring down another long Sunday.