Jaguars vs Texans: 5 players who will be key to Jacksonville's success

While much of the talk surrounding Sunday's game between the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) and Houston Texans (0-1) has centered around the match up of Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey vs. Houston receiver DeAndre Hopkins. This makes sense considering the two have had epic battles in the past and each are among the top players in the entire NFL.

But outside of the back-and-forth that we will see between Ramsey and Hopkins, there are several other key players on each team that could decide the game one way or another.

From the rookie quarterback starting his first game to the defenders looking for a bounce back week after giving up 40 points to the Kansas City Chiefs in week 1, which players hold the keys to the team's success Sunday?

Quarterback Gardner Minshew

This one is the most obvious. Minshew had to step into the game against the Chiefs had to step in after starting quarterback Nick Foles suffered a broken clavicle following a touchdown pass early in Sunday’s 40-26 loss. Luckily for the Jaguars, Minshew was impressive in his first outing, completing 22-of-25 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns.

For the Jaguars to prevent a 0-2 start, Minshew will have to look cool, calm and collected against the Texans. The team is likely going to dial the playbook down to a degree, but Minshew's high football IQ, expect the team to still put the ball in his hands to try to win the game.

Defensive end Josh Allen

The 2019 seventh overall pick will be pushed into a starting role for the second week in a row after the Jaguars once again have a starter missing from the defensive line. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue will miss Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, making Allen the team's most important pass rusher against the Texans.

Allen will likely be moved all around the formation on Sunday against a below-average Texans offensive line, but the key match up he will face is against left tackle Laremy Tunsil. For the Jaguars to keep Deshaun Watson from picking their secondary apart, they will need Allen to disrupt Watson consistently.

Wide receiver Chris Conley

Conley was the Jaguars' most targeted receiver against the Chiefs, seeing seven passes thrown his way which he turned into six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Against a struggling Texans secondary, Conley should once again be used extensively.

Conley's reputation in his time as a Kansas City Chief was one as a boom-or-bust deep threat, but in week 1 he was a dependable possession target who moved the chains. If Minshew is going to have a successful first NFL start, he will need Conley to once again be a good security blanket.

For those that couldn't see the highlight...@GardnerMinshew5 to @_flight17_ for a 25-yard TD.#KCvsJAX | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/n1pmDO3Cra
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 8, 2019

Cornerback D.J. Hayden

Hayden was the Jaguars best performing defensive back against the Chiefs, and against the Texans they will need him to replicate that performance. With Ramsey likely to match up with Hopkins for most of the game, Hayden will spend his time in coverage against Kenny Stills and Will Fuller. Each receiver has the ability to break a game open with their vertical ability, and Hayden will be key to ensuring they do not ruin the team's chances on Sunday.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor

The 2019 second-round pick will start his second NFL game on Sunday after a strong performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 1. Taylor performed well as a pass and run blocker in his debut, and the team will need that strong of an effort again on Sunday.

The player Taylor will likely be assigned to block for most of the game will be future hall of fame defensive lineman J.J. Watt. Watt wasn't ultra-disruptive in week 1 but he still has the ability to hurt an offense with his speed and strength. He has years of experience going against Taylor's youth, which will be a pivotal thing to watch.

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