Another football season is finally upon us, and unlike so many of them that have come before, there’s a reason for optimism among those of us who follow the Jacksonville Jaguars closely. The team had the first overall pick this offseason for the first time in franchise history, and it used that pick to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has been touted as a generational passing prospect.
To help him along in his development, the team hired Urban Meyer as the next head coach, a legendary college coach with a penchant for coaching the quarterback position.
We’ll get our first look at the new regime in a game that counts on Sunday, when the Jaguars travel to take on the Houston Texans in the season opener.
The Texans find themselves in a bit of a bind in 2021. After signing quarterback Deshaun Watson to a mega-deal last fall, they finished 4-12. This offseason was even more tumultuous, however. Watson demanded a trade before 22 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct against the quarterback came to light, calling his future in the league into question.
Watson isn’t expected to play for Houston this year, and instead, the team will trot out veteran journeyman Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterback. The Texans also have Davis Mills, a quarterback from Stanford they took with their first selection in the draft in the third round.
Houston has lost a lot of talent, including receiver Will Fuller, who left in free agency, and cornerback Bradley Roby, who was traded to the Saints on Wednesday.
These Texans have perhaps the worst roster in football on both sides of the ball. Jacksonville couldn’t ask for a more advantageous matchup.
It’s likely one of the few games this year the Jaguars will be favored in, and they could start the Meyer-Lawrence era on a high note with a win on the road against a hapless division rival.
What do you think, Jags fans? Will the team emerge victorious in Week 1? Let us know in the poll below.
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