Jaguars can’t allow these 5 Texans to ruin Week 15

You’ve probably heard that misery loves company and if the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans were a couple of guys at a bar, they would be talking about how things have been rough lately and how they were given a bad hand. Both teams have a 2-11 record and it doesn’t look like things will change for either one in the remainder of the 2021 season.

On the bright side, at least one of them is ensured to earn at least another win in the next four games, as they will face off against each other in Week 15. The Jags are a 3-point favorite ahead of the game but they already lost to Houston early this year.

Then again, this Texans team will look very different from the one Jacksonville played against in the season opener, as they’ve traded or released linebacker Whitney Mercilus, running back Mark Ingram, running back Phillip Lindsay, defensive end Charles Omenihu, linebacker Zach Cunningham, and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves.

Furthermore, rookie Davis Mills, not veteran Tyrod Taylor will be starting for the Texans. Still, the Jaguars are coming off a five-game losing streak, so it’s not a given that they will win. If they want to avoid their sixth consecutive loss, they must keep an eye on these five Texans.

No. 1 Texans player to watch vs. Jaguars – Rex Burkhead, RB.

Texans running back Rex Burkhead only had one carry in the first six weeks of the season but has seen his usage increase over the last four games and has started two of them, toting the rock 49 times for 137 yards.

Burkhead is averaging less than three yards per carry but the Jaguars have had trouble defending the run since Week 10, allowing more than 100 rushing yards each game. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Houston try to pound the ball early and often since other teams have proven that formula works against Jacksonville.