Texans (1-6) at Jaguars (1-6)
Sunday, 1 ET, TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Texans by 6 1⁄
2
Texans’ keys to victory: The route to a win might be through RB David Johnson, who will be up against one of the worst run defenses. In the last meeting versus the Jaguars, he had 17 carries for 96 yards. The Texans should aim to get him more than 20 carries and control the clock. That would keep red-hot RB James Robinson off the field; Robinson will be well rested and coming off a career game against the Chargers (22 carries for 119 yards and two total TDs).
Jaguars’ keys to victory: Coach Doug Marrone confirmed rookie Jake Luton will start in place of injured Gardner Minshew (thumb). Luton, a sixth-round pick from Oregon State in the 2020 draft, has been a healthy scratch for all seven games. He might be the better option over veteran Mike Glennon because there isn’t any pro film on him. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden praised his accuracy and arm strength in training camp, both of which are traits that Minshew has lacked in 2020. But Luton has yet to face a live NFL rush. On defense, the Jags might need to go a little heavier with blitzing, because QB Deshaun Watson typically destroys them when they use a four-man front.
Matchup to watch: Jaguars CB Sidney Jones vs. Texans’ Deshaun Watson. In the Week 5 meeting, Jones had a superb game against Watson with an interception and four pass breakups, one of which caused another pick.
Who wins? Considering the uncertainty at quarterback and how the Jags played versus Houston in Week 5, it’s hard not to take the Texans.
Texans 31-17