PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : They Need Answer for Run-and-Shoot

Having exposed their weakness against the run-and-shoot offense to the rest of the league, the Raiders can expect upcoming opponents to exploit the flaw with gimmick formations of their own.

“You have to be concerned,” Coach Art Shell said in the wake of Sunday’s 47-17 loss to the Houston Oilers. “People are going to take a look at other people. And if you have a problem, they’re going to pick it up. We’ve got to work and get better at it.”

Injuries: Safety Eddie Anderson suffered a groin pull in Sunday’s game, but it isn’t believed to be serious. Guard Max Montoya, who sat out the Houston game with a similar injury, is expected to start Sunday against Denver.

Receiver Tim Brown worked ahead of Mervyn Fernandez with the first-team offense for part of Sunday’s second half. Shell said he was just trying to get a different look on the field.

“It does not change Mervyn’s status as a starter,” Shell said.

The Raider defense, which allowed only four rushing touchdowns in 1990, gave up three against Houston in the opener. . . . Former quarterback Steve Beuerlein, now a Dallas Cowboy, was not activated for Sunday’s game against Cleveland. . . . Bulletin board material: Oiler rookie guard John Flannery, making his first NFL start, did a commendable job against Raider Howie Long. According to Monday’s Houston Post, Flannery told offensive line coach Bob Young during the game: “Coach, (Long) isn’t anything.”

So much for Houston’s offense being more run than shoot. The Oilers had 36 rushing plays and 36 passes in Sunday’s victory. And so much for the critics who say you can’t control the clock with the run-and-shoot. The Oilers dominated time of possession against the Raiders, 38:31 to 21:29. In the first 16 1/2 minutes, Houston had the ball 15 minutes 6 seconds, building a 13-0 lead.