Texans vs. Jaguars Preview: Decimated Secondary Could Lead to Shootout

The Houston Texans will look to knock off the AFC South-favorite Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The Houston Texans were never expected to win many games this season, but injuries have left the secondary and offensive line decimated. Against an explosive Jacksonville Jaguars team, it is difficult to feel rosy about Houston’s short-term future.

The long-term situation? That’s just fine. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has performed well despite little protection. Receiver Nico Collins has 226 and a score through two weeks. There’s little doubt about the prowess of rookie edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and he’s not alone in providing Houston a promising core of defensive talent.

For now, though, there’s a game to be played on Sunday. The Texans visit the Jaguars, who they’ve beaten in nine of their last 10 contests.

Houston will be without every offensive line starter except for right guard Shaq Mason. Defensively, young safety Jalen Pitre will miss the Week 3 affair and second-year corner Derek Stingley Jr. is expected to miss significant time with a hamstring injury.

“There are a lot of things that happen on the field that you just can’t control,” Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “That’s the nature of the game that we play … To try to pinpoint not getting guys injured, that’s hard to do. You can’t justify how things happen, it’s football.”

That spells trouble against a Jaguars offense that feels ready to take off. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is playing good football, but through drops and some unbearable turnover luck, the results haven’t been there.

Receivers Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk are both legitimate playmakers that are salivating for a matchup against a depleted secondary. Elsewhere, running back Travis Etienne is looking to gash a defense that has struggled defending the second level.

Heading into Sunday at TIAA Bank Field, the story of the game will be whether the Texans’ depth can keep them competitive. Against the AFC South favorite, Houston simply may not have the horses to get into the win column.

WHAT: Houston Texans (0-2) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

WHERE: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL (67,838)

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, 12 p.m. (CDT)

TELEVISION: FOX

RADIO: SportsRadio 610 AM, 100.3 FM The Bull

ODDS: Texans +7.5 (-110), +320 Moneyline, Total: 43.5 (o -118/u -110)

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