Jaguars host the Texans: Three players to watch on Sunday

When the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Houston Texans on Sunday from TIAA Bank Field, they will try to stop the bleeding of a two-game losing streak and try to recapture some of the swagger they had when the 2018 season began.

Blake Bortles knows if the Jaguars are going to put an end to this two-game losing streak on Sunday, he is going to have to play better. He also knows his teammates will need to play better than the 40 points the team surrendered last week in Dallas.

While the coaching staff and the players say they have moved past the road loses and have focused on this week and the Texans, the remnants of the effects of a porous defense and stagnant offense still resonate.

"“I think every time you play a division game, regardless of what the situation or the surroundings are, I think it’s a little heightened,” Bortles said in his weekly press conference on Wednesday. “Each game in the NFL on a weekly basis … All of them feel big is what I’m trying to say. When you play a division game, you’re definitely that much more tuned in, I think.”"

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The offense continues to suffer from injuries. The defense is feeling some pain as well. Calais Campbell is listed as questionable for Sunday. D.J. Hayden won’t play again. The casualties on the other side of the ball are too numerous to count.

With Leonard Fournette out again, the team did add Cleveland running back Carlos Hyde.

We shall see if he can move a pile or two with the running game. A stronger offensive line would do wonders to improve the ground game and make Bortles’ job a bit easier.

These are just a few of the issues that the team must deal with this weekend. If the Jaguars are to win on Sunday, these three players must step up.

A.J. Bouye

A.J. Bouye is still considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but he had possibly the worst game of his career last week.

Cole Beasley got underneath and was able to expose the Jaguars secondary. On three occasions, Bouye was beaten in single coverage. While he does not face off against DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller is no slouch.

Bouye must rebound this week against Houston’s offense.

Jaguars offensive line

I include everyone here. Playing against the Texans pass rush is no easy task. J.J. Watt appears to be back to his dominant self. Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus are also on the team’s radar.

Bortles has had two poor games on the road but looked solid in his last home game against the New York Jets. The offensive line must keep his jersey clean and allow him time to set up in the pocket, This might be their toughest assignment to date.

Nathaniel Hackett

I don’t usually put the offensive coordinator on the spot, but 21 points in two games say a lot about how things have spiraled out of control.

Hackett and Bortles are connected at the hip. Both must improve this week. Being at home, can the offensive mastermind find his balance again? If he is to call the right game plan, he must find a way to get the running game with T.J. Yeldon and Hyde going and minimize his quarterback’s mistakes.

Next. Jaguars deal for Carlos Hyde to bolster running game. dark

The coaching staff is on the spot. Hackett needs to prove he can call a game like the ones against the Jets and the New England Patriots.

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