Karl Joseph Will Return for Raiders Playoff Opener in Houston

Trend: The Texans are 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 games as a favorite.

Houston lost its last outing, a 24-17 result against the Titans on January 01.

Saturday’s game airs on ABC2. Gilbert spent time on the Oakland practice squad last season. Mack had just once in the earlier meeting between the two teams, but he had five last season when Osweiler was starting for Denver.

“We just want him to be himself and go out and do what he can do and want our team to do what it can do”, said Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio. Unfortunately for the Raiders, quarterback isn’t the only key position where they are banged up. But, this is the Wild Card round and unless you are making a futures bet on the Super Bowl don’t worry about next week.

Already entering the postseason with a rookie quarterback yet to make his first National Football League start, the Raiders also are unsure about the status of his primary blind-side protector.

Cook will be just the second rookie quarterback to ever start a playoff game for the Raiders, behind Todd Marinovich in 1991.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 21: Jihad Ward #95 of the Oakland Raiders and Jeff Allen #79 of the Houston Texans trade jerseys after their game at Estadio Azteca on November 21, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico.

A year ago at during NFL Wild Card week I began a playoff run of my own for the ages.

Cook versus Osweiler is a freakish combination, though at least we had some indication that Osweiler could be appearing in the postseason for the Texans in the offseason when Houston signed him to a contract worth $72 million. Savage supplanted the ineffective Osweiler against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 18. It will certainly be interesting as to whether or not he can execute and lead this team to a win. QB Brock Osweiler will start with Tom Savage out with concussion. After the loss at Denver on Sunday, tackle Donald Penn confessed that until that game, he had never heard the rookie’s voice in the huddle. If they lose, it’s no mystery why: It’s because they weren’t a good team throughout the season. Now that he’s there, he gets knocked back down.

Two weeks later, the Raiders’ season appears all but done, thanks to two brutal injuries. And, for what it is worth, Cook may actually have a stronger throwing arm than McGloin or even Carr. Miller ranks sixth in AFC with 1,073 yards rushing.

It will take everything from the Raiders to beat the Texans for a second time this season, especially without Carr.

Hence, the Raiders do not have time to mourn the loss of Carr, Smith, Matt McGloin or anyone else. The Raiders remain hopeful that McGloin will be able to suit up as Cook’s backup in Houston Saturday, but have signed quarterback Garrett Gilbert to their practice squad as insurance.

Both teams have potentially explosive running games and defenses, which may be what the matchup boils down to.