Jaguars vs. Texans Part II: Predicting the score

With only one more week until the Jaguars must settle what may turn into a quarterback controversy, they face the Houston Texans in London.

Well, he did it again! For the sixth time in eight weeks, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew won the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award for his performance in a 29-15 win over the New York Jets last Sunday.

All it does is further his case to remain the starting quarterback in Week 11 when Nick Foles would be eligible to return from the injured reserve list. This week, however, the Jaguars are focused on the Houston Texans in a big AFC South rivalry matchup played at Wembley Stadium in London.

At stake is a chance for Jacksonville to ride into the bye week with a 5-4 record, which is more than many of the local and national media thought they would win without Foles under center. It is also a chance to continue to build their resume toward the postseason and a possible playoff berth.

It’s also a chance for the Jaguars to win another division game, which would give them a 2-1 record so far in 2019 – one victory more than they had in the division last season.

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Once again the staff here at Black and Teal make our predictions about how this game will play out across the pond.

Jennifer Shatzer – The Jaguars have the advantage of knowing sleep and practice schedules with all of the traveling it takes to get them across the pond, I think that in addition to J.J. Watt being out for the season all plays to our advantage on some level.

The Texans are the ones we need to beat! I know that it will be a tough but tight game. I am taking Jaguars over Texans 21-18

David Levin – I believe this franchise is on the move in the AFC. The last two games, albeit against lesser opponents, showed the defense can reach 2017 good. The running game will need to get moving against Houston, and the passing game will need to keep the Texans secondary in check.

The team is one day away from the start of their bye week and a huge question looming to be answered. I believe Minshew and the offense come alive today. Jaguars 31 Texans 17

Kathy Clark – The Jaguars play another must-win game on Sunday. It is even more important because it is a division game.  The Jaguars have played in London six times and are familiar with the challenges of the time change, weather conditions, etc.  The Texans have a better record and talent but I still think the Jaguars will win. Jaguars 24 Texans 21

Anthony Robertson – The Jaguars are traveling to London to take on the Houston Texans this week. Houston escaped with a victory in the last matchup, this week I see things going a little different. The Jags have more confidence in offense with Gardner Minshew and DJ Chark really building great chemistry.

Leonard Fournette has also been very impressive especially since the Denver game. The defense has really been stepping it up as of late as well and is earning the monicker of Sacksonville. It will still be a close game especially because of the importance of this division rivalry for both teams. I think Jacksonville will come away with a close win. Jaguars 24 Texans 21

Lorenzino Estrada – Houston makes an uneasy trip to London harder without a flurry of players including J.J. Watt, Tashaun Gipson, and Will Fuller. Jacksonville will need to put pressure on both Deshaun Watson and the Texans defense early and often. Gardner Minshew has a shot to continue to be the teams starting quarterback with a strong performance, and I’m sure he knows that. Jacksonville will respond well to a major divisional game with huge playoff implications. Jaguars 24-20

Jesse Overby – The Jaguars host the Texans in London this week in what could be a pivotal game for the Jags. Being just one win behind both Houston and Indy, this game could put them in a tie with the Texans. And they need this game because of the loss earlier in the season at Houston. Falling two games behind with two losses to a division rival would pretty much dash any hope of a playoff berth.

And the Jaguars are a bit banged up, with all three starting linebackers out last week and their starting defensive end and center nursing injuries. Also, Josh Lambo, one of the best kickers in the NFL is also injured making the kicking game a liability this week. Add to that the departure of Jalen Ramsey to cover DeAndre Hopkins who went off last week and there are concerns that the defense will be able to hold down a dynamic Texan offense.

But the Texans have their own issues. Mainly, the trade of Jadeveon Clowney and the season-ending injury to Watt. The last time the Jaguars faced the Texans when both Clowney and Watts were out they won easily. This game won’t be as easy as that one was because the Jaguars are still starting a rookie quarterback and the receiving corps is completely different. However, the running game should do better than they have in some time.

This game will be exciting, with the Jaguars winning 28-20.