The Jacksonville Jaguars ended a losing skid when they trounced the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9. At 5-3, they have a prime opportunity to start a winning streak and gain ground in the AFC South. OF course, it won't be a walk in the park. Next on their schedule are the rival Houston Texans.
The Jags became a 1.5-point favorite for the division bout when Houston ruled out quarterback C.J. Stroud. There's no doubt that there will be a steep drop-off behind center with Davis Mills. However, Jacksonville will face a stout Texans defense that leads the NFL in both points allowed and points scored.
Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the offense will need to rise up to the occasion if the Jags want to come out on top. With this in mind, here are three key storylines to monitor in the Texans game.
How much playing time will the Jaguars give Jakobi Meyers?
The Jaguars needed help at receiver with injuries piling up, and they got it when they traded for the sure-handed Jakobi Meyers. Aside from tentatively helping the team with its drop issue, the seventh-year veteran gives Jacksonville a much-needed target in light of Brian Thomas Jr.'s injury.
Thomas left the Raiders win with an ankle sprain and has been ruled out for the matchup against Houston. Meyers will be asked to contribute right off the bat. The only issue is that he had just a few days to soak up the playbook, so he'll have a limited role. Sure, the former North Carolina State Wolfpack reunited with position coach Edgar Bennett, who should help him get him up to speed, but it's still hard to picture him getting extended playing time.
But regardless of how many targets he gets, expect Jacksonville to lean on Meyers.
How big will be Devin Lloyd's return for the Jaguars?
Devin Lloyd got off to a hot start this season, registering five takeaways in five games. He was even an early candidate for Defensive Player of the Year honors. But it all came to a screeching halt when he suffered a calf injury against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. The former Utah Ute is back in the fold after missing three games. It's not an overstatement to say that his return will be huge for a defense that's struggled to stop opposing teams from reaching the end zone.
In fact, the Jaguars allowed 29 points to Las Vegas and were one two-point conversion away from losing the game. Without Lloyd, the defense has struggled to create turnovers. He should buck the trend and come up clutch against the Texans.
Jarrian Jones, and other Jaguars will have a chance to make an impression
Jarrian Jones got benched after struggling early in the season. In fact, he got minimal playing time when Montaric Brown returned from a leg injury. With Lewis ruled out for the Texans game, though, Jones will have a chance to make an impression.
The former Florida Seminole lined up in the boundaries the first two games, but he'll man the slot, where he's a better fit, in Week 10. If he fares well, he should earn more playing time the rest of the way.
Similarly, Cole Van Lanen will fill in for Ezra Cleveland at left guard, and Johnny Mundt will get the start at tight end with Hunter Long ruled out. Like Jones, both of them will