Jaguars vs. Texans: Week 3 Staff Predictions

The Jacksonville Jaguars need a big bounce-back week.

After failing to conquer the Kansas City Chiefs in a disappointing 17-9 loss last week, the Jaguars will face a banged-up but young and hungry Houston Texans team in Week 3.

“Well, we know they got a really good run game with a couple of running backs that can get after you. The quarterback is athletic, and he throws the ball well. They’ve got pieces there that have surrounded that quarterback," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said on Friday.

"I think it’s how they use their quarterback, by not giving him a ton right now, but at the same time, letting him use his athleticism and his ability to make plays outside of the pocket, throw within the pocket, and what you see is the fact there’s going to be a mistake made here and there. But they’ve minimized some of those, they’re not turning the ball over and you look at the game against Baltimore, it was a 7-6 game at halftime, anything to go in the second half. You got to stay extremely disciplined, that’s why I keep talking about the things that we do and how we approach it on both sides of the ball. Just staying locked into the gameplan and just doing your job.”

So how does the Jaguar Report staff see Sunday playing out? We break it down below.

John Shipley

Prediction: The Texans are so young on defense to begin with that any injuries at all already put them behind the eight ball. Now they will be missing three of their five starting defensive backs and their best linebacker in Denzel Perryman. The Jaguars should be able to score through the air on Sunday as long as they can keep Trevor Lawrence protected, but whether they can do that remains in question.

Defensively, the Jaguars are facing an offense that hasn't made many game-changing mistakes. C.J. Stroud has been the NFL's best rookie quarterback through two weeks and he has the chance to get hot, especially late in games. I think the Jaguars have a decisive lead in the fourth quarter that Stroud cuts down in garbage time.

Jaguars 27, Texans 23.

Kyle Nash

Prediction: With the Jaguars’ defense hitting their stride as they did against the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs last week, the Duval Devout should be excited by the prospect of facing a banged-up Houston Texan offense led by #2 overall pick CJ Stroud. Look for Travon Walker to show continued improvement to redeem himself from last year’s match up where he committed a key 15-yard penalty that helped the Texans ruin Hall of Fame offensive tackle Tony Boselli’s induction into the Jaguars’ Ring of Honor.

With former Jacksonville defensive back Shaquill Griffin stepping in to face his old team in place of starter Derek Stingley, the Jag’s hope to bounce back from a game where they failed to score a touchdown. While Houston rookie Will Anderson as the #3 overall pick has been a force on the defensive line, he certainly isn’t the same presence as the Colts’ DeForrest Buckner of the Chiefs’ Chris Jones up front.

The Jags finally get a chance to shine and pick up a second AFC South win.

Jaguars 24, Texans 13.

Evan Reier

Prediction: The Jags will be without Zay Jones, but the Texans are missing a lot more. Trevor Lawrence and the offense will get back on track, but I still expect some miscues. The defense will handle business, and maybe provide some fireworks along the way. Jacksonville couldn’t ask for a better “get right” opportunity.

Jaguars 27, Texans 10.

Daniel Griffis

Prediction: The Jaguars are in need of a bounce-back week and who better to have on against than their in- division rivals, the Houston Texans. The Texans, though 0-2, have played two hard-fought battles against the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts. CJ Stroud has really given Texans’ fans hope as the No.2 overall selection is slinging it all over the park, racking up 626 yards in just two weeks. The Jaguars’ defense will need to slow down the rookie QB and the offense will need to find their 2022 form again as their first two weeks have been disappointing. I think the team bounces back and gets on a roll as they head to London for a two-game set next week.

Jaguars 27, Texans 20.

Zach Schultz

Prediction: We saw the Jaguars lay an egg in Detroit last year and bounce back the following week so I have no doubt they won’t do the same this weekend. I know the Texans at home has been kryptonite but with injuries along the offensive line and Derek Stingley missing the game, I just don’t see the Texans going toe to toe with the Jags this week. The spread is at 9.5 and I think the Texans could make that number interesting. In the end, Calvin Ridley has a big game, Etienne goes for 100+ scrimmage yards, and Josh Allen and Travon Walker make their presence felt.

Jaguars 27, Texans 13.