The Texans game is a must win for the Jaguars

Can the Jaguars look past a 40-26 loss last Sunday to win on the road this weekend against AFC South rival, the Houston Texans?

The Jaguars come into the Texans game Sunday in Houston as a nine-point underdog and are without quarterback Nick Foles indefinitely.

The Texans lost the opener also Monday night in New Orleans but outplayed the Saints for the entire game, and the Jaguars in their opener could not keep up at all against the Chiefs at home. Before Foles went down with a broken clavicle, he was 5 of 8 for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Leonard Fournette carried the ball 13 times, for 66 yards, and had four receptions for 28 yards and no touchdowns, Dede Westbrook had five receptions for 30 yards and one touchdown. The Jaguars offense was held to 81 yards rushing and 350 yards receiving, so if they expect to win Sunday, they need to get the running game going.

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The Texans are as good as the Chiefs, because of the quarterback play of Deshaun Watson and they have weapons at wide receiver in Deandre Hopkins, Will Fuller, and Keke Coutee.

At running back they have Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson The talented defense will have another test, but I am confident that Calais Campbell, Myles Jack, Josh Allen, and Quincy Williams can rise to the challenge.

The defense is the reason I am giving the Jags a chance to win on Sunday in Houston and the secondary with Jalen Ramsey, Ronnie Harrison and Tre Herndon will be put to the test.

Jacksonville’s  Gardner Minshew will have his first NFL start on Sunday in Houston, but is he ready? Last week in the opener against the Chiefs when Foles left the game with an injury, he was 22-25, 275 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

For Jacksonville to win on Sunday, they need to get the running game going with Fournette to dig Minshew out of any holes he is in, and the defense needs to shut down Watson and get pressure on him.

Minshew also needs to get the ball into the hands of playmakers at wide receivers such as Westbrook,  DJ Chark and Chris Conley will need to catch more passes, This will give offensive coordinator John DeFilippo a chance to open up the offense more.

Do the Jaguars get it done on Sunday in Houston? We will see.