C.J. Stroud, Texans chase playoffs, encounter reeling Raiders

As the Houston Texans keep climbing, their playoff hopes are following suit.

The Texans have won six straight games as they prepare to host the skidding Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Houston (9-5) has vaulted to within one game of the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC South lead and a game ahead of the division-rival Indianapolis Colts for the conference's final wild-card spot.

"We're starting to roll at the right time, and December is where you want to play your best ball," Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. "Every game is important, and every game is hard."

Houston registered its second-highest point total of the season last week, thumping the visiting Arizona Cardinals 40-20 as Stroud passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns -- including two to Nico Collins.

Jawhar Jordan added 101 rushing yards on 15 carries, seeing accelerated action after rookie Woody Marks (ankle) left the game with an injury.

The Texans may need to flex their depth in the backfield. Marks did not practice Wednesday and Nick Chubb (ribs) was limited. Chubb hasn't played since the first half of a Dec. 7 win at Kansas City.

No matter the lineup, Houston's offensive outlook remains the same.

"Just putting up more points every week helps," Stroud said, "and trying to execute at the highest level."

The defense will be without defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. (chest), who was injured in the fourth quarter against Arizona and is out for the season.

"A steady player, consistent player," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Brings energy to our entire team, so we're really going to miss his presence. He flies around on game day. Great effort, intent."

Houston recently lost fellow tackle Tim Settle Jr. (foot) to a season-ending injury but still counts on a pair of productive ends. Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5) were ranked in the top 10 in the league in sacks coming into Week 16.

After entering the season with playoff aspirations and newfound swagger under peppy first-year coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders hobble into Houston on an eight-game losing streak. The skid has sent Las Vegas plummeting to a 2-12 record, tied with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans for worst in the NFL.

Despite the struggles, Carroll disputed the idea that he needs to win down the stretch to save his job.

"I don't feel like that at all," he said. "I'm well beyond that."

Las Vegas absorbed a 31-0 loss at Philadelphia in Week 15, the second time it was blanked during the losing streak. The Raiders managed just 46 yards on the ground and weren't much better through the air, as quarterback Kenny Pickett (15 of 25 for 64 yards and an interception) sputtered while starting in place of Geno Smith.

Smith, who has navigated injuries to his hand, shoulder and back, returned to practice Wednesday. Carroll indicated there's "a good chance" Smith will start against the Texans.

"Nothing happens in one day or one year," Smith said. "We would have loved to win the Super Bowl this year. That is not our reality this year. The reality is we've got to get better and we've got to focus on getting better every day. Anything outside of that is nonsense."

Las Vegas rookie running back Ashton Jeanty stands 42 scrimmage yards shy of becoming the fifth player in franchise history to reach 1,000 in his first season.

Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) and safety Jeremy Chinn (back) did not participate in practice on Wednesday.

The Texans lead the all-time regular-season series 7-5.