Rivalry games always bring extra energy, and in the NFL, every division matchup can shape the playoff race. This Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars square off against their longtime AFC South rival, the Houston Texans.
While the Texans have won 9 of their last 10 trips to Jacksonville, this Jaguars team is under new leadership. The offense has been modernized, producing an NFL-best 169.5 rushing yards per game, while the defense has forced a league-best three turnovers in each of the past two weeks.
With the Texans traveling to Duval County, Jaguars fans will make their presence felt. Expect high-energy football on the field and a roaring crowd in the stands. As the fans cheer on the Jags, here are three key storylines to watch in today’s matchup.
Can the Jaguars bounce back from the loss to the Bengals?
The first storyline to watch is how Trevor Lawrence responds after last week’s tough loss. If the Jaguars are going to make a playoff push, No. 16 and the passing attack need to get rolling. As I noted in a recent article, head coach Liam Coen will demand a lot from his quarterback. Beating a team that has historically given Jacksonville trouble. Doing it at home would go a long way toward building confidence for the coach, the locker room, and the fanbase.
The last time Lawrence faced the Texans, he was carted off the field after a hit on a scramble and slide that many considered dirty. Some have wondered if that moment will linger heading into this matchup. However, the Jaguars’ signal-caller appears focused on the present rather than dwelling on the past. When speaking to the media this week, he said:
"I'm way past that at this point in my life, so it's not something I've thought about since then. It's football, it's a violent game, and obviously, it's unfortunate when things like that happen, and I don't want to get into all that again."Trevor Lawrence
It’s the right mindset to carry into this week, and one that should resonate with every Jaguars player and fan. This is a new team with a new spirit, and Lawrence and company are determined to shift the tide by bringing home a win against their division rival.
The Jaguars will continue to put an emphasis on running the football
The second storyline to watch this week is the continued success of Jacksonville's run game. The Texans have two dominant edge rushers who will give offensive coordinators nightmares in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. An effective way to slow down that pass rush is to establish the ground game.
The trio of Travis Etienne, LeQuint Allen, and Bhayshul Tuten has been highly effective, with each back averaging over four yards per carry. Etienne has led the way with an inspired 7.1 yards per attempt. This number will likely come back down to earth but remains extremely impressive through two games.
The run game has long been a weakness for Jacksonville, especially last season when they ranked near the bottom of the league. Coen and his staff clearly recognize that establishing the ground attack is critical to overall success. If this trend continues, it could be the difference in whether the Jaguars come out on top Sunday.
How the Jaguars pass-duo of Josh HInes-Allen and Travon Walker fares
The final storyline to watch is a matchup of players who will never face off against each other. That is the matchup of Jaguars star pass rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Trevon Walker versus Texans stars Daniel Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.
The media has fallen in love with the pairing of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, with many calling them the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL. However, Hines-Allen and Walker have a chance to make their own statement this week against a vulnerable Texans offensive line.
If the Jaguars’ edge rushers can wreak havoc and make Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud uncomfortable, it could pave the way to a Jacksonville victory. Expect plenty of pressure on Houston this week, with the Jaguars’ pass-rushing duo looking to outduel their divisional counterparts.