The Houston Texans took another big step in their playoff push on Sunday, edging out the Las Vegas Raiders 23-21 in a gritty, defense-driven win that kept them firmly in the AFC South title race. And while the box score won’t blow anyone away, this was a game defined by timely execution, record-breaking moments, and one very clutch drive from C.J. Stroud and company.
Let’s start with the history-maker: Dalton Schultz. The veteran tight end hauled in a short 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter - the only offensive touchdown of the day for Houston - but that grab meant more than just six points.
It was Schultz’s fifth catch of the afternoon, giving him 75 on the season and setting a new single-season franchise record for receptions by a tight end, surpassing Owen Daniels’ mark from 2008. Quietly, Schultz has become one of Stroud’s most reliable targets, especially in key moments like this one.
That score gave Houston a 23-14 lead with just under eight minutes to play, and it looked like the Texans might cruise to the finish. But the Raiders had other plans, and Ashton Jeanty made sure of it. The rookie running back, who has been one of the few bright spots in a tough season for Las Vegas, broke loose for his second long touchdown of the day - this one a 51-yard sprint that sliced the lead to just two points with 5:24 remaining.
Jeanty was electric all afternoon, finishing with 188 total yards, including 128 on the ground across 24 carries. He showed burst, vision, and the kind of playmaking spark that should give the Raiders something to build around heading into 2026.
But when it mattered most, Houston’s offense delivered. After the Raiders cut it to 23-21, the Texans got the ball back and never gave it up.
The key moment came right after the two-minute warning: facing a third-and-8, Stroud dropped back and found Nico Collins for a 24-yard completion that effectively ended the game. It was a veteran-level throw from the rookie quarterback, and a strong reminder of why this Texans team is ahead of schedule in their rebuild.
Stroud finished the day 23-of-35 for 187 yards and the touchdown to Schultz - not eye-popping numbers, but he managed the game well, made smart decisions, and most importantly, protected the football. That’s been a theme all year for him, and it’s one of the biggest reasons Houston is sitting at 10-5 with two games to go.
The Texans’ defense also deserves a major tip of the cap. They set the tone early when Derek Stingley Jr. jumped a pass from Geno Smith and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, giving Houston a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. It was a statement play from a rising star in the secondary, and it set the tone for a defense that bent at times but never broke.
Smith, returning from injury after missing last week’s shutout loss to the Eagles, had some solid moments - he finished 16-of-23 for 201 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception - but the Raiders’ offense continues to struggle with consistency. Even with Jeanty’s big day and a 60-yard touchdown pass from Smith to the rookie back in the third quarter, Las Vegas couldn’t sustain drives when it counted most.
Ka’imi Fairbairn was another unsung hero for Houston, drilling field goals from 55, 50, and 49 yards to keep the Texans ahead through much of the game. In a low-scoring battle like this one, having a kicker who can deliver from distance is a massive asset - and Fairbairn came through every time he was called upon.
With the win, Houston stays just one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South. Their path to the postseason is still very much alive, and if they keep getting timely plays from their young quarterback, a reliable defense, and clutch performers like Schultz and Fairbairn, they’re going to be a tough out in January.
As for the Raiders, the loss marks their ninth straight - a brutal stretch that’s left them at 2-13 on the year. But Jeanty’s breakout performance offers a glimmer of hope. The pieces aren’t all there yet, but if Las Vegas can build around talents like him, there’s at least a foundation to work with heading into the offseason.
For now, the Texans march on - not with fireworks, but with grit, execution, and a growing sense of belief that this team is built for more than just a feel-good story. They’re built to win.