Jacksonville Jaguars: Can the defense sack Texans again in rematch?
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars host the Houston Texans on Sunday in Week 15, and the defense should dominate the day, once again.
Everyone may think that the Jacksonville Jaguars will cruise to victory on Sunday. The Houston Texans limp into town, looking to rain on the Jaguars playoff parade. Jacksonville better not take the Texans lightly due to all their injuries.
The Jaguars defeated Houston 29-7 in Week 1. Jacksonville’s defense sacked Houston 10 times. Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue combined for six of the 10 sacks. Dante Fowler had a 53 yard fumble return for a touchdown. Jacksonville owned that day.
Jacksonville has had their share of injuries throughout this season. Allen Robinson was lost for the season in Houston, Week 1. Several nagging injuries have forced the line-up to be shuffled from game to game. The Jaguars have been able to continue their high level of play.
Houston has been struggling all season. Currently, their season record is the mirror reverse of the Jaguars, 4-9. T. J. Yates is on tap to be the starting quarterback on Sunday due to injuries. Deshaun Watson is out for the season because of a knee injury. Last week, Tom Savage suffered a concussion.
Last Sunday marked the first game that all five Jaguars starting linemen played together. The result was another successful day running the football. Jacksonville rushed for over 100 yards. Most important of all, Blake Bortles was not sacked at all.
Once again, the Jaguars offensive line must control the line of scrimmage. Although J.J. Watt is on injured reserve, Jadeveon Clowney is more than capable of wreaking havoc. Expect Jacksonville run Leonard Fournette early and often to establish the power rushing attack. The Houston defensive secondary is giving up an average of almost 242 yards per game. They are the No. 26 pass defense. They have sacked opposing quarterbacks 30 times.
Expect Jacksonville to face yet another stacked box by Houston. Houston should be in man coverage on the Jaguars receivers. Bortles should be able to find open receivers across the middle. If Jacksonville get Fournette rolling early, that should open up the play action for big passes.
Jacksonville will pressure the Houston quarterback all day. Whether its Yates or Savage, the front seven should get a few sacks. The Jaguars secondary will blanket the Texans receivers which may allow multiple players getting multiple sacks.
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Jalen Ramsey and the secondary can not afford to let DeAndre Hopkins to find open space. Hopkins has 88 receptions for 1233 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hopkins is the Texans main offensive weapon. Expect Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, and Aaron Colvin to shut down Hopkins.
Jacksonville must win this game to stay the third seed in the AFC playoff race. The playoffs are drawing close and the Jaguars need to take care of business. Expect another close victory at EverBank Field for the Jaguars.