Jaguars vs. Texans: 3 bold predictions for Week 15

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ upcoming game against the Houston Texans feels different, as the organization has addressed the elephant in the room: After months of

dysfunction on and off the field

, the Jaguars fired Urban Meyer this past Wednesday. Other than

his daughter Gigi

and

New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas

, fans, media talking head and even people outside the NFL world agreed it was the best possible outcome.

You could make the case Meyer’s ego was holding the Jaguars back and in Week 15, they will have the chance to show they’re better off without him. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell told the media Thursday he’s focused on what’s ahead, not what’s behind and that’s a healthy way to approach the last four games of the 2021 season. In fact, don’t be surprised if a reenergized Jaguars team takes the field Sunday and has a dominant performance.

Here are five bold predictions for the game.

2. Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault will go over 100 yards, score a TD.

Jaguars wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. was expected to have a breakout year but he’s instead had a relatively down season, logging 52 receptions for 505 with no touchdowns. Moreover, he’s averaging half a yard less per grab than he was in 2020. Even though he’s on pace to set a career-high in catches, Viska hasn’t been anything out of this world in 2021.

That should change Sunday, as Shenault will be eager to prove Meyer’s presence was a dark cloud hovering over Jacksonville. Against the Texans, he will go over 100 yards receiving and will score his first touchdown of the season.