The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading into this Sunday’s matchup with a disappointing 1-3 record, but have a chance to add to the win column with a game against the winless — and now coach-less — Houston Texans. With the team spiraling downhill thanks to a three-game losing streak, the Jags need to pick up some positive momentum before their bye next week.
If the Jags go into the bye on four straight losses, there is a high chance that the current regime could face the same fate as Texans former head coach Bill O’Brien. The Jags’ fanbase has voiced their displeasure with defensive coordinator Todd Wash after another disappointing display against a winless team and those statements will only become louder if the team doesn’t improve.
Of course, the Texans aren’t your average winless team. Their defense has been disappointing through the first four weeks of the season, but they still have Deshaun Watson under center, a man who has been a problem for the Jags. Just last year the former Clemson superstar dictated the game as Jacksonville fell 26-3 at Wembley Stadium.
As both teams are desperate to turn their respective seasons around, this has the potential to be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend despite the lack of significance from a league-wide perspective. With that in mind, here are three things you need to know going into Sunday’s game with Houston.
The Houston Texans rank dead last in rushing defense
Jaguars fans haven’t had many bright spots to enjoy during their team’s slow start to the 2020 season. However, one thing that has been a pleasant surprise in Jacksonville is the emergence of rookie running back James Robinson. The former Illinois State man has come in and established himself as a three-down back early on.
Knowing that the Jaguars’ defense has struggled early, it would be wise to try and dominate the time of possession as much as possible. The Texans’ putrid run defense will likely make this easier. So far this year, Houston has given up over 180 yards on the ground per game which should give offensive coordinator Jay Gruden a clear point of attack for Sunday’s game.
The Jaguars’ best offensive performance came in the season opener when Gardner Minshew II only threw 20 passes. Simply put, if the Jaguars can move the ball on the ground effectively then they have a good chance of winning this game.
The Texans still can’t protect Deshaun Watson
For the third straight season, the Texans are unable to keep their franchise quarterback clean. Watson has been sacked 16 times in just four games, which puts him on pace to be sacked a devastating 64 times on the season.
Much has been made of the Jags’ inability to get after their opponent’s quarterbacks so far this year. The lack of pressure from their defense is so disappointing that former Jaguar Yannick Ngakoue has as many sacks in four games as the entire Jaguars defensive line (three).
If Watson is afforded time in the pocket to go through his reads and deliver the ball, he is as dangerous as any quarterback in football. The Jags are going to have to emphasize blitzing early — something that’s not Wash’s cup of tea.
Even with no head coach, the Texans are 6.5 point favorites
Yes, you read that correctly. Despite entering Week 5 with an interim coach (Romeo Crennel) and being winless, the Texans are favored in this game by almost a touchdown.
There are definitely ways in which the Jaguars can win this game and ensure they aren’t at the bottom of the division going into their bye week, but bookmakers across the country fancy Houston to win on Sunday.
The Jaguars should have this printed out and put on the inside of every locker at the facility. If the team takes another one in the “L” column this weekend, it will be the third game they have had against a winless team in 2020, and the third game they will have lost. With no winless opponents remaining on their schedule, this is technically the easiest game Jacksonville has left this season. Simply put, if they lose this game fans will probably start looking ahead to April.
