Let the battle for the AFC South crown begin!
Let’s face it, both of these teams got their >bleep< handed to ‘em last weekend. The Buffalo Bills stomped all over the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans had no answers for the Minnesota Vikings.
Now, the Texans sit at 2-1 while the Glitter Kitties are still trying to find their first win. In hindsight, it’s not a stretch to say the Vikings and Bills might face one another in the Super Bowl this year. Wouldn’t that be a thing? Since both have a storied history of choking in the championship?
Meanwhile, back in H-Town, the Texans lead the all-time series 29-15, with the Kitties taking the last one 24-21 on 11/26/23.
Coming into this season, Houston’s C.J. Stroud and J-ville’s Trevor Lawrence were considered two of the top young quarterbacks in the league. Based solely on last weekend, it’s hard to hold the line on that statement.
Thankfully, Demeco Ryans’ teams have proven mentally resilient in his head coaching time with Houston.
Houston Texans Odds
This week, the Texans are currently favored by 6.5. That may change when the status of all-pro running back Joe Mixon is made public. His latest status was dubbed “week to week” by a league source, meaning he’s very unlikely to have full participation this weekend.
NFL Communications
• RB JOE MIXON had 117 scrimmage yards (68 rush, 49 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in his last game vs. Jax. (12/4/23 w/ Cin.). Has 8 TDs (6 rush, 2 rec.) in 5 career games vs. Jax., with TD in each.
• RB CAM AKERS had 2nd-career TD catch last week.
If Mixon can’t go, and Dameon Pierce hasn’t shown even a shadow of his rookie prowess, it means Cam Akers will be the bell cow once more. Since he didn’t exactly light the world on fire last weekend, that demotes the run game to “afterthought”.
Which means it’s once again up to Stroud and the passing attack to take on a pro defense without a true running threat.
NFL Communications
QB C.J. STROUD completed 20 of 31 atts. (64.5 pct.) for 215 yards last week. Is 1 of 4 in NFL with 200+ pass yards in each of 1st 3 weeks this season. Has 9 TDs (8 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 113.5 rating in his past 5 home starts, incl. playoffs. Has 584 pass yards (292 per game) & 5 TDs (4 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 117.2 rating in 2 career starts vs. Jax. Has 12 TDs (11 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 113.7 rating in 6 career starts vs. division.
WR NICO COLLINS leads NFL with 338 rec. yards in 2024 & is only player with 85+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 weeks of season. Aims for his 6th in row with 80+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 5 of his past 6 at home, incl. playoffs. Had 7 catches for 104 yards & TD in last meeting.
WR STEFON DIGGS led team with season highs in catches (10) & rec. yards (94) last week, 17th-career game with 10+ catches, 3rd-most among active players. Had 8 catches for 121 yards & TD in his last game vs. Jax. (10/8/23 w/ Buf.).
WR TANK DELL had season-high 5 catches for 62 yards in Week 3. Has 5+ catches, 50+ rec. yards & rec. TD in each of his 2 career games vs. Jax.
Speaking of Dell and injuries, the 2nd year receiver is also a bit banged up, dealing with sore ribs and a nagging wrist/hand injury. Without Mixon, the Texans will need every receiver they can get.
Meanwhile, the Kitties aren’t exactly destroying the opposition either. Their offense is only averaging 13.3 points per game, while the defense is giving up 28.3. The Texans aren’t where they need to be in either category, scoring 18.3 and surrendering 24.7, but it’s certainly better than that litter box odor coming from NE Florida.
QB TREVOR LAWRENCE passed for 178 yards & TD last week. Has 0 INTs in 2 of 3 games this season. Passed for 364 yards & totaled 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) in last meeting. Has 90+ rating in 3 of his past 4 vs. division.
RB TRAVIS ETIENNE led team with season-high 85 scrimmage yards (68 rush, 17 rec.) last week. Has rush TD in 2 of 3 games this season. Has 478 scrimmage yards (119.5 per game) in 4 career games vs. Hou.
RB D’ERNEST JOHNSON had 61 scrimmage yards (42 rec., 19 rush) in last meeting.
WR CHRISTIAN KIRK led team with 8 catches for 79 yards last week. Has 75+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 89 rec. yards in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Hou. with 50+ rec. yards.
If Danielle Hunter can get on track, Will Anderson Jr. can join in and “sudden-star” Tim Settle can continue what he started last weekend in Minnesota, the Texans should take this one.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans prediction:
Jacksonville Jaguars 17
Houston Texans 27
Cue the overreaction threads.