Raiders Edge Texans 22-20 in Friday Night Preseason Thriller

Raiders Close Out Late Surge

The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Houston Texans 22-20 on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The contest featured a dramatic shift in momentum, as the home team built a substantial early lead before Las Vegas mounted a final-quarter comeback.

With 69,765 fans in attendance, the game ended with the visitors taking the lead on consecutive rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The result improves the Raiders' record to 1-1, while the Texans fall to 0-2 in the preseason schedule.

Texans Build Early Cushion

Houston controlled the first half, scoring 17 points in the opening period. Woody Marks rushed 20 yards for a touchdown, followed by Wade Woodaz returning an interception 80 yards for a second score. Ka'imi Fairbairn added a 51-yard field goal before halftime to extend the lead.

In the second quarter, Matt Gay kicked a 52-yard field goal for Las Vegas, but Fairbairn responded with a 57-yard field goal. The Texans entered the halftime break leading 20-3, with Davis Mills completing 11 of 15 passes for 93 yards. Woody Marks carried the ball four times for 37 yards and one touchdown, while Marlin Klein caught three passes for 31 yards.

Late-Game Shift in Momentum

The Raiders found their rhythm in the second half, scoring 19 points across the third and fourth quarters. Dylan Laube broke the scoreless third quarter with a 4-yard run, narrowing the gap to 20-10. The decisive sequence occurred in the fourth quarter when Dare Ogunbowale rushed 19 yards for a touchdown, bringing Las Vegas within one point.

The Raiders' drive culminated in Aidan O'Connell's 1-yard rushing touchdown, which secured the 22-20 victory. Both of the final two touchdowns failed on the point-after attempts, but the six points from each score proved sufficient to flip the game's outcome.

Key Statistical Contributions

Aidan O'Connell led the Raiders with 15 of 24 completions for 166 passing yards. Mike Washington Jr. contributed on the ground with nine carries for 56 yards, and Brandon Johnson received two passes for 41 yards. For Houston, Davis Mills managed the offense in the first half, while Woody Marks provided the primary rushing threat.

The game highlighted the competitive nature of the preseason, with both teams demonstrating offensive versatility before Las Vegas closed out the contest.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873286