Reliant Stadium --- Stocked with a lineage of Hall-of Fame players, three Super Bowl championships and a reputation of intimidating its opponents like no other team in history, the Oakland Raiders were once a revered NFL franchise.

Since their Super Bowl appearance after the 2001 season, the Raiders have won fewer games than any other team and are now the laughingstock of the league.

But none of that mattered to the Houston Texans on Sunday after dismantling Al Davis’ faltering franchise 29-6, as raindrops pelted the protective covering over Reliant Stadium.

The Texans, in dire need of a victory, feasted on the inept Raiders and put this one away early by taking a commanding 20-6 halftime lead. Running back Steve Slaton rebounded nicely after another careless fumble to lead the scoring attack. Slaton was actually replaced early in the second quarter by Ryan Moats, who was quite impressive in limited duty.

The move appeared to be a stroke of genius by head coach Gary Kubiak, as Slaton returned back to the line up with an elevated level of vigor and focus. The second year back led the Texans to two scores during a span of just over a minute-and-a half in the second quarter. Slaton first found the end zone with a 32-yard run, then, an 18-yard catch that put the Texans up 20-6. Slaton finished the day with 65 yards on 21 carries.

Jacoby Jones tacked on the final points of the day in the third quarter with a 95-yard punt return.

Even the Texans defense looked great against the pathetic Raiders. Mario Williams and Amobe Okoye, both registered sacks on the day and led the charge for a defense that harassed and bothered Raiders’ QB Jamarkus Russell all day. Russell, who will probably be benched next week as the Raiders hit the road to meet the undefeated Giants, was abominable; connecting on only 12 of 33 of his pass attempts for 128 yards and one fumble.

The Texans held Russell and the Raider’s offense to 165 yards on the day. Rookie Brian Cushing led the way in tackles for fourth consecutive game with seven.

The schedule suddenly stiffens with back-to-back road games, starting with a trip to Arizona to take on the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals.
A match up against the rejuvenated Cincinnati Bengals the week after, now turns out to be one of the more intriguing contests on the schedule.