Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans: Keep Your Enemies Close – 5 Questions with Toro Times

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a much needed win against the New York Giants, and they have a chance to put together their first win streak of the season as they host the Houston Texans. While the Jaguars swept the Texans last year, they have much more difficult task in 2014 as this particular Houston squad is playing much better under head coach Bill O’Brien.

To get some intel on the Texans heading into Sunday, we pinged our friends over at Toro Times and asked editor Graham Rogers a few questions. Here’s what he had to say:

1. So much for questions about the quarterback position. What on earth happened last week that allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw for 6 touchdowns, and can he build off that performance and lead the Texans down the stretch?

"GR: I think it was a combination of Fitzpatrick trying to resurrect his career which for a week looked all but done. The Titans just imploded on themselves which really helped and basically the Texans seemed to click against the Browns and had Mallett not been injured would have beaten the Bengals."

2. It’s safe to say that Jadeveon Clowney has been a disappointment so far. What has held him back in his rookie season?

"GR: We just got word Clowney’s season is officially over as he’s been placed on IR for the remainder. I think it’s been some bad luck with the knee really. He’s got a lot of potential but also some growing up to do. For example that boneheaded moment he decided that during a game was a good time to hop on social media and hit on the ladies. That hurts his appeal to the fans and while the team might publicly support him next season he’s going to have to prove he has the fire and drive to be an NFL player. He’s being pushed, by forces under his control and out of his control. I think his maturity in the end, held him back most."

3. Offensively, the number 1 receiver torch appears to have been passed from Andre Johnson to DeAndre Hopkins. Is there a true top receiver in this offense, or have the Texans split their targets pretty evenly?

"GR: Hopkins is coming into his own now, after a rough rookie season and a disappointing 2013 campaign he’s figured it out. Andre Johnson has mentored him and it shows. He’s not mouthy, he’s not showboating, he’s working. Working at being the Texans Andre Johnson for the future, but #80 is still the man in Houston. You can see that Andre is there when it’s needed, and DeAndre is in the wings looking for the big strike. That’s kinda how it’s broken down in terms of splitting the targets."

4. Obviously J.J. Watt has been the best defensive player and arguably the best player in the NFL – so is there anything the Jaguars could do to slow him down? Has anyone been able to keep him from dominating a game this season?

"The key to defeating J.J. Watt is to scheme to contain him, while not breaking that trying to cover the rest of the front 7. Last season the Texans couldn’t make that happen, teams would double and triple on Watt but no one else really stepped up. This year, with the aggressive way Crennel is calling the defense and the work Mike Vrabel is doing with the linebackers there is no stopping Watt. If you focus on him, he’s quite happy to eat up 2-3 lineman and let his teammates get in. He dominates even when he’s being contained."

5. What’s your prediction and score for the game?

"I believe the Texans will win this, 33-17. The Jaguars have a lot things to fix and the Texans are clicking on all cylinders."