Jaguars vs. Texans: 5 bold predictions, including Calvin Ridley going off in Week 12
• The winner will hold the No. 1 place in the AFC South
• Here are 5 predictions for the game
The Jacksonville Jaguars have had rough stretches this season, but they've also shown they're capable of playing at a high level. Just last week, they had no trouble disposing of the Tennessee Titans 34-14. They will once again need to play a dominant brand of football against another divisional foe, the Houston Texans. Saying that the stakes will be high is no hyperbole.
At 7-3, the Jaguars are in first place in the AFC South, but Houston is within striking distance, having won five games since their first bout in Week 3. If Jacksonville loses in Week 12, the Texans will seize to top spot. Moreover, they'll register their fifth sweep of the Jags since 2018.
So what do the Jaguars have to do to avoid a sweep, and fall to second place in the division? It's pretty straightforward (at least on paper): avoid turning the ball, play complementary football, and make the Texans' offense one-dimensional. Also, get Calvin Ridley the ball. With that in mind, here are five predictions for the Week 12 divisional bout.
No. 5 prediction for the Jaguars vs. Texans Week 12 bout: Calvin Ridley gets 100+ yards, 2 TDs
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley has shown he still can take over games, but he's also disappeared at times, registering 40 yards or less six times this season. Some of his lack of production falls on the coaching staff and their penchant for deploying him strictly in the boundaries. That said, Ridley hasn't always performed at a high level. By his own admission, he played bad football in the 37-17 loss to the Texans in Week 3.
Ridley says that based on how things went in practice, the Jaguars will show out. In particular, he'll be ready Sunday. Jacksonville didn't have Zay Jones the first time they faced the Texans but they will this time around. Against the Titans, he showed how much of an impact his presence makes, drawing coverage away from Ridley, and leaving him with favorable matchups.
With Jones back in the mix, Ridley will get his second straight 100-yard game (and fourth overall) of the season. He will also get his fifth and sixth touchdowns.