The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently in the midst of a hot streak and are closing in on a potential playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans don’t seem to have a plan in place and are on pace to finish with a losing record for the third straight season.
This doesn’t mean the Jags should underlook their division foes in Week 17 though. Even though they’ve only mustered two wins this season, Houston has been competitive in recent weeks, something head coach Doug Pederson noted during an exchange with the media on the days preceding the game.
The Texans are coming off a win against the flailing Tennesse Titans in Week 16 and went toe-to-toe with the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the fact that the Jaguars don’t have to beat Houston to qualify for the playoffs, they will go into NRG Stadium expecting to come out with a win. With that in mind, here are three keys to beating the Texans in Week 17.
3. The Jaguars must stack up the box, stop the run vs. the Texans
Running back Dameon Pierce was an early candidate to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award this season but he’s currently out with an ankle injury.
Before getting hurt, Pierce had racked up 220 carries for 934 yards with four touchdowns. Royce Freeman, who got the starting nod in Week 16, will most likely get a heavy workload against the Jaguars.
Freeman isn’t the kind of player that keep coaches awake the day before the game but the Texans will probably lean on him and try to keep a balance. The Jaguars need to load up the box and stymie Houston’s running game early in the constest, so they become one-dimensional.
2. The Jaguars must pressure Texans QB Davis Mills in Week 17
Sophomore Davis Mills is 4-9 as the Texans starting quarterback and three of those wins came against Jacksonville. Isn’t it crazy that the former Stanford Cardinal has a perfect record against the Jags? Conversely, it’s kind of embarrassing that Jacksonville hasn’t been able to beat a single-caller that’s been underwhelming and was benched earlier this year.
Texans head coach Lovie Smith says Mills has gained more confidence since getting his job back and there’s some truth to that. Over the last three weeks, he’s completed 61.64 percent of his passes for 474 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Those numbers don’t pop off the stat sheet but they’re not horrible either.
Against the Jaguars in Week 5, Mills did enough to help Houston win. If he can avoid mistakes and move the chains on third down, the Texans could pull off the upset. And that’s where the Jaguars and their defense come in.
Although the Jaguars lost defensive end Dawuane Smoot for the season, head coach Doug Pederson told the media Friday he’s optimistic rookie outside linebacker Travon Walker will play in Week 17. Moreover, there’s a good chance defensive tackle Foluronso, who missed the win over the New York Jets, will be available this week.
Regardless of who plays, winning the battle in the trenches and pressuring Mills will go a long way toward winning this one. It would also help to take wide receiver Brandin Cooks away. Without any other viable options in the passing game, the Texans could struggle to move the ball in Week 17.
1. The Jaguars’ offense must get to a hot start vs. the Texans
You could make the case that it doesn’t matter if an offense starts slow as long as they win the game and that’s true to a certain extend. On he other hand, winning is easier when you don’t have to crawl back from a hole you dig.
The Jaguars have trailed in a handful of games this season but they have also mounted several succesful comebacks. However, they can’t expect to turn things around they’re losing. That’s not a sustainable way to win. Fortunately, it looks like Jacksonville has a favorably matchup against the Texans’ defense and should be able to put point on the scoreboard early and often.
Houston ranks 30th in yards allowed and 26th in points scored. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-10 quarterack and most of the Jags’ 2022 free-agency additions are clicking. Tight end Evan Engram, and wide receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk all have had oustanding performances this season and Houston doesn’t have the personnel to stop all f them.
Also, the Jaguars need to get running back Travis Etienne involved. Although he had a midseason slump, he played well the last two weeks, racking up 186 carries on 41 carries. The Texans have one of the worst defenses against the run and this is the kind of matchup Jacksonville must exploit.
Head coach Doug Pederson isn’t planning on resting any players in Week 17 but if they build a comfortable lead, they could afford to pull some of them out.