It’s an AFC North showdown between the Houston Texans (3-3) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3). The Texans and Jaguars are currently tied for first place in the division with the Tennessee Titans (3-3), who take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7.
The Texans are coming off a 20-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills, while the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a rough 40-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Jaguars Back Home
Luckily for the Jaguars they return home this week and are favored -5 over the Texans. The Jaguars currently hold a 2-1 record when playing at home this season, their most recent came in Week 4 when they defeated the Jets 31-12.
For the Texans, it’s going to be tough as they’re currently 1-2 when playing on the road this season. Their one win came back in Week 4 when they defeated the Colts 37-34. The game time weather at TIAA Bank Field this Sunday is expected to be in the 70’s with clear skies.
The Jaguars are coming off of back-to-back blowout losses but look to rebound at home this week. The Texans have had success against the Jaguars in years past with an all-time record of 19-13. Last year when Houston traveled to Jacksonville, the Texans got blown out 45-7.
The Texans were still without Deshaun Watson in that matchup, but Blake Bortles played incredible completing 21-of-29 passes for 326 yards and 3 TDs. It’s been an up and down year for Bortles this season as he’s completing 61% of his passes for 1,674 yards with a 9:8 TD to INT ratio. The numbers between Bortles and Watson are pretty similar as Watson is completing 65% of his passes for 1,798 yards and a 9:7 TD to INT ratio.
Bortles best game of the season came back in Week 2 against the Patriots when he passed for 376 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. Since that game, the Jaguars are 1-3 and are looking to figure things out on offense with Leonard Fournette still sidelined.
T.J. Yeldon has filled in nicely rushing for 299 yards and 1 TD and second on the team with 25 receptions for 223 yards and a team-high 3 TDs. Going into the season, it was a big question of which receiver would step up as the top receiver between Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole and Donte Moncrief.
So far it has been Westbrook who leads the team in receptions, and yards with 27 catches for 387 yards and 2 TDs so far this season. The backbone of this team is the defense who got embarrassed by the Cowboys last week giving up 378 total yards.
Houston Seeking Fourth Straight Win
After losing their first three games of the season, the Texans are winners of three straight games led by a strong defense and the dangerous duo of Deshaun Watson and Deandre Hopkins. Hopkins has reeled in 44 catches for 657 yards with 3 TDs this season.
The big matchup will be between Jalen Ramsey and Hopkins, as A.J. Bouye will likely cover Will Fuller on the other side. Rookie Keke Coutee could be in a for a good game this season running out of the slot after Cole Beasley ripped the Jaguars secondary for 9 receptions, 101 yards, and 2 TDs out of the slot last week.
Get more details: Houston at Jacksonville NFL Match-Up
