Late Surge Decides Tight Preseason Clash
The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Houston Texans 22-20 on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Reliant Stadium. The outcome hinged on a pair of fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns by the visitors, who overcame a significant early deficit to secure their first win of the preseason.
The game concluded with the Raiders holding a narrow two-point lead, a margin established by two separate six-point scoring plays in the final period.
Texans Dominate First Half
Houston established a commanding 17-0 lead in the first half, showcasing explosive offensive plays. Woody Marks opened the scoring with a 20-yard run for a touchdown. The Texans then doubled their lead on an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown by Wade Woodaz.
Ka'imi Fairbairn extended the advantage further with a 51-yard field goal late in the first period. In the second quarter, the teams traded field goals, with Matt Gay connecting for a 52-yard attempt for Las Vegas, followed by Fairbairn hitting a 57-yard kick for Houston. The half ended with the home team leading 17-3.
Raiders Rally to Take Lead
Las Vegas began its comeback in the third quarter when Dylan Laube rushed in for a four-yard touchdown. The Raiders continued their momentum in the fourth quarter with two critical scoring drives. First, Dare Ogunbowale ran for 19 yards to tie the game, though the team failed on the extra point attempt.
The decisive moment came when Aidan O'Connell capped the rally with a one-yard rushing touchdown, also missing the subsequent PAT. These final 12 points allowed the visitors to pull ahead, securing the 22-20 result.
Key Performances and Records
Statistically, Houston’s Davis Mills completed 11 of 15 passes for 93 yards. Woody Marks led the Texans with 37 rushing yards on four carries and one touchdown, while Marlin Klein caught three passes for 31 yards. For the Raiders, Aidan O'Connell threw for 166 yards on 15 of 24 attempts.
Mike Washington Jr. contributed 56 yards on nine carries, and Brandon Johnson finished with 41 receiving yards on two catches. The victory improves Las Vegas’s record to 1-1, while Houston falls to 0-2.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873286
