Have the Jaguars improved enough to end the Texans’ eight-game win streak against them?
Kubena: The difference between last year’s Jaguars team and this year’s team is immense. Jacksonville should not have been as bad as it was in 2021, when the franchise secured the No. 1 overall pick for a second straight year thanks to a dysfunctional season that saw coach Urban Meyer fired after just 13 games. Owner Shahid Khan’s hiring of Doug Pederson is looking strong right now. They actually look like a real team again. I spoke with Pederson on a media conference call Wednesday, and he emphasized how important it was to have a sincere dialogue with the players when he accepted the job. That must be refreshing for the organization. Pederson has also tapped into the development of 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, whose 8-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio has vastly improved after leading the league with 17 interceptions last season. Jacksonville also topped all teams in offseason free-agency spending, which provided upgrades on what’s become a stout defense. Houston’s streak likely comes to an end.
Alexander: Absolutely. I’ve always believed the Jaguars had talent. They just needed the right coach. And Urban Meyer wasn’t it. Doug Pederson on the other hand is a winner, and has the Jags looking like they might be contenders for the AFC South title. The Jags have shown improvement on both offense and defense. Second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks a lot more comfortable. He is tied for sixth in the league in passing touchdowns (eight). Their running game is averaging 110 yards per game. The Jaguars are averaging 12 more points per game than they did in 2021, while allowing 10 fewer points per game. I recognize the eight-game winning streak, but this is a tough matchup for the Texans. I think they lose this, too.