Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason gets underway with a primetime matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders (0-1) and Houston Texans (0-1) on Thursday night at NRG Stadium on ESPN.
The Texans’ original plan was to play most of their healthy starters this week, but after Tuesday’s joint practice with the Raiders, those plans have changed. Houston is now expected to rest most, if not all, of its defensive starters, but starting quarterback C.J. Stroud, along with the starting offensive line and potentially a few other offensive starters, is expected to play a few series. Health is the No. 1 priority for a Houston team that already received a massive blow when second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins suffered a season-ending ACL injury during Tuesday’s joint practice. The Texans enter the upcoming season with high expectations following a 12-win campaign in 2025 and three consecutive playoff appearances, including two AFC South titles during the first three years of the DeMeco Ryans-Stroud era.
The Raiders will use Thursday’s game as an opportunity to show significant improvement on defense under first-year defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. Las Vegas allowed Arizona to convert 53.3% of its third downs and its only fourth-down attempt in its preseason Week 1 loss while also surrendering 368 total yards, including 156 rushing yards. Some of those struggles carried over into the joint practice with Houston earlier this week, with rookie cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses particularly needing to bounce back Thursday night.
The good news for Raiders fans is that Thursday night provides another opportunity to see 2026 first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza in live game action. Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in his preseason debut and is expected to start and play for roughly the entire first half against the Texans.
Raiders vs. Texans Odds Tonight
The Texans are listed as slight favorites at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook for Thursday night, but keep in mind that football betting markets are more limited during the preseason:
Raiders vs. Texans Betting Splits
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for Thursday night’s NFL preseason matchup in Houston:
- The Texans are seeing more support on the moneyline with 60% of bets and 53.5% of the handle.
- Houston is drawing more action on the spread with 50.7% of bets, but the Raiders are receiving a larger share of the money with 57.3% of the handle.
- The Under accounts for 66.3% of bets and 64.9% of the handle on the total.
Raiders vs. Texans Game Info
- š Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
- š Date: Thursday, Aug. 20
- ā° Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
- šŗš» TV/Streaming: ESPN
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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