Raiders Klint Kubiak uncovers major problems, seeks quick fixes

HOUSTON — It’s become almost customary in the NFL for head coaches to sit their starters in preseason games when their team and that week’s opponent have already squared off in a joint practice.After what happened to the Raiders against the Texans on Tuesday, Klint Kubiak might be inclined to break from tradition.The Raiders’ first-year head coach left the practice field and immediately retreated to the team hotel, where he and his staff put every rep from a difficult afternoon under the microscope.And there was plenty to examine.The Texans exposed some weaknesses, reinforced some concerns and gave the Raiders a brutally honest snapshot of where they stand with the regular season approaching.The question now is what Kubiak intends to do with that information.When asked whether what he saw on film would factor into his decisions about who plays — and who doesn’t — when the teams meet Thursday night at Reliant Stadium, Kubiak didn’t hedge.“Yes,” he said sternly.It was only one word, but the message behind it seemed considerably longer: Tuesday may have created some unfinished business for the Raiders.The offensive line certainly has some.That group had its hands full dealing with the power and athleticism of a Texans front led by pass-rush demons Will Anderson Jr.

and Danielle Hunter.Pass protection was an issue, but so was generating consistent movement in the running game.“You feel their rush,” Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins said.

“They do a good job pursuing and playing fast.”But the problems extended beyond the line of scrimmage.The Raiders’ wide receivers struggled to consistently create separation, making life even more difficult for the quarterbacks against a talented Texans secondary built to contest throws, limit explosive plays and make offenses patiently work their way down the field.“A team like Houston, they do a great job of making you check the ball down and tackle you and force some turnovers,” Kubiak said.“So, ...