Offensively, the Texans will have the same group. They will lean a lot on rookie RB Steve Slaton again. There is little experience behind him, and Slaton is proving to get stronger as the season continues.

PLAYER NOTES

--LB Xavier Adibi is showing improvement with the groin injury he suffered Sunday. The coaches are now more optimistic that he actually may be able to play Sunday.

--LT Chester Pitts did not practice, but he is expected to play Sunday. He has a nagging ankle injury and the coaches allow him to rest during the week so that he can play in the games.

--QB Craig Nall was released with two games left in the season.

--WR Darnell Jenkins was added to the active roster. The coaches want to see him get some playing time over the final two weeks to see what type of player he might be for them in the future.

--DE Jesse Nading (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, but played through the injury last week and is expected to do the same this week.

GAME PLAN: The Texans will look to run the ball. They are ranked 11th in the league in rushing, and could crack the top 10 against a Raiders defense that ranks 31st against the run. The Texans will rely mainly on Steve Slaton, who has rattled off four 100-yard rushing games in the last five weeks.

Defensively, the Texans will try to continue making critical stops on third down. In the past two weeks, they have held the Titans and Packers to a combined three of 23 on third-down conversions. They didn't start the season off nearly as well in that area. Against the Steelers in the home opener, the defense allowed Pittsburgh to convert six of 10 third downs.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Texans WR Andre Johnson vs. Oakland CB Nnamdi Asomugha. Johnson is coming off the biggest game of his career with 207 receiving yards against the Raiders. The Texans are constantly trying to change up their scheme to make sure they can get him open. He's making catches that others wouldn't be able to pull down. He is at the top of his game right now and should create plenty of problems for Nnamdi Asomugha, who will likely be getting help from a safety throughout much of the game. Johnson respects Asomugha, though, and knows it won't be an easy day. He voted Asomugha for the Pro Bowl this year and was glad he finally made it.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden vs. Texans LB DeMeco Ryans. McFadden will likely be all over the field, and Ryans will have to keep his eye on him. In addition to being the team's second-leading rusher typically, McFadden is also good at catching the ball. Against the Patriots on Sunday, McFadden was the team's leading receiver with three catches for 68 yards. The Texans will have to be stout in their tackling, and Ryans will have to make sure someone is always with McFadden.

INJURY IMPACT: LB Xavier Adibi is showing improvement with the groin injury he suffered Sunday. The coaches are now more optimistic that he actually may be able to play Sunday.

LT Chester Pitts did not practice, but he is expected to play Sunday. He has a nagging ankle injury and the coaches allow him to rest during the week so that he can play in the games.

DE Jesse Nading (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, but played through the injury last week and is expected to do the same this week.