Week 9 JaguarMaven Staff Predictions: Jaguars vs. Texans
With the Jacksonville Jaguars slated to travel to London to take on the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, the JaguarMaven staff has come together to bring you the predictions on the game's most important storylines of Sunday's game.
1. This will be the first time Jacksonville plays Houston and DeAndre Hopkins without the insurance of Jalen Ramsey taking on the Hopkins challenge. How do you think A.J. Bouye will perform in Ramsey's old role of shadowing Hopkins?
John Shipley: I think DeAndre Hopkins is still going to do his typical damage (he even did vs. Ramsey a few times) but overall I don't think Bouye is going to be a liability for the Jaguars. He has had a terrific six-game stretch for Jacksonville and has looked like the Pro Bowl cornerback that he was in 2017. Hopkins will get his, but Bouye will hold his own too.
Andrew DiCecco: While I don’t think Hopkins can ever really be shut down, I think Bouye will win most of his reps against him. His length and physicality at the line of scrimmage have historically been the types of players that Hopkins struggles to make plays against.
Brandon Eisenman: I think Bouye will perform well in the role of shadowing DeAndre Hopkins. He’s arguably one of the best and most talented wide receivers in the league. With Ramsey gone, Bouye is going to have to step up and be the leader in the secondary.
2. Deshaun Watson has historically been hit or miss against the Jaguars defense. Do you think he makes a large impact on Sunday, and why or why not?
John Shipley: I think Deshaun Watson has a big day on Sunday despite Will Fuller being ruled out. Jacksonville's defense has completely neutralized opposing running games over the last couple of games, and I think the same happens on Sunday. And when that happens, Houston will put the ball in Watson's hands and ask him to make plays. He has done that over and over again this season, and I think it continues in London.
Andrew DiCecco: I do. Watson is playing at a high level right now, and he’s always a threat to extend plays outside the pocket when plays breakdown. This week should be no different, as he should have some opportunities for big plays against an aggressive Jaguars defense. I think Kenny Stills will be his go-to option on Sunday.
Brandon Eisenman: Watson will make a big impact on Sunday. His momentum and composure are at a high level right now. I think he’ll have a solid outing against the Jaguars in London.
3. Who has the advantage on Sunday: The Texans' pass rush or the Jaguars' offensive line?
John Shipley: Houston's pass rush was probably the biggest reason the Jaguars' offense only mustered 12 points in their Week 2 loss to the Texans, but it is going to look a good bit different without J.J. Watt, who is out for the season with a pectoral injury. Whitney Mercilus will have the advantage in his matchup with Cam Robinson, but I think Jacksonville has the edge across the rest of the board.
Andrew DiCecco: Jaguars offensive line. Oft-maligned throughout the early part of the season, this group has come together, namely Linder and rookie Jawaan Taylor, to pave running lanes for Fournette and protect Minshew. With J.J. Watt now out of the lineup for the rest of the season, it should slow what has been a formidable Texans pass rush.
Brandon Eisenman: The Jaguars offensive line has the advantage. My reason being because J.J. Watt is out for the season. A dynamic defensive lineman, the loss for Houston gives the Jaguars’ front an advantage. As long as they can execute and give Gardner Minshew time in the pocket, this front will win the battle there.
4. Which player do you think the Jaguars need to have a big game the most to win on Sunday?
John Shipley: Gardner Minshew. Sunday could be his final start with Nick Foles eligible to return in Week 11, and it will come against the team he made his first-ever start against. In what is simply a monumental game in terms of AFC South ramifications, Jacksonville will need their rookie quarterback to play like a passer who has grown since that Week 2 matchup.
Andrew DiCecco: Jawaan Taylor, without a doubt. Even without Watt, the Texans have a very capable bunch and can generate pressure from everywhere. Though Taylor has taken monumental leaps in his progression, the Texans defensive front tends to give offenses a ton of different looks.
Brandon Eisenman: D.J. Chark needs to have a big game. Marqise Lee just went to IR. Last week, I said Leonard Fournette needed a big game. But, this time around, the Jaguars are going to be forced to pass the ball to win. Chark can play a big part in that on Sunday.
5. Final score prediction, and why?
John Shipley: Jaguars 24, Texans 21. I think Josh Lambo hits a field goal as time expires to propel Jacksonville going into their bye week. Jacksonville is getting into their best rhythm as a team all season over the last few weeks, and I think that momentum pays off Sunday.
Andrew DiCecco: 27-23, Jaguars. The trip to London is old hat to Jacksonville at this point, and the travel and weekly routine can affect teams that aren’t accustom to it. Leonard Fournette is running the ball well, and Minshew has shown an innate chemistry with his wide receivers. No Will Fuller for Watson, means they’ll be missing one of the key pieces that makes their offense run.
Brandon Eisenman: Jacksonville wins, 27-20. Deshaun Watson has been a solid quarterback since he’s come into the league. Houston has a talented receiver in Hopkins and more weapons than just him. However, Minshew is on a roll right now. I don’t see him taking a step back this week. The Jaguars will escape London with a huge divisional win and move to 5-4.
