JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Following a challenging stretch that saw the Houston Texans lose three out of their last four games, the team is in need of a breather. Fortunately, they might find just what they need before their scheduled bye week, as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday. This matchup marks the conclusion of a grueling 13-game run for the AFC South leaders, who currently boast a record of 7-5.
The Texans have historically performed well against the Jaguars, and this game offers a prime opportunity for head coach DeMeco Ryans’ squad to recalibrate as December approaches. “It hasn’t been easy,” said Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. “We haven’t had any time to breathe. But that’s the NFL; that’s our job. We’ve really got to come back with another week of just hard work… because we’re right around the corner from our bye, and I think that’ll be a good thing for all of this team.”
In recent matchups, the Texans have dominated the Jaguars, winning 11 of the last 13 encounters and 17 of 21 overall. This includes a five-game winning streak in Jacksonville, a stark contrast to their overall performance against their divisional rivals back in 2013. Continuing this trend on Sunday would not surprise many, especially since the Jaguars are reeling from a four-game losing streak that marks one of the worst three-game performances in franchise history.
There is, however, a glimmer of hope for Jacksonville: quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who missed the last two games due to a sprained non-throwing shoulder, is expected to return. Head coach Doug Pederson hinted at potential changes for the team following their bye, though he was coy about revealing any specifics regarding personnel or coaching adjustments. “We’re going to implement some things and really kind of get back to some things that I think were successful for us,” Pederson noted, addressing issues of rhythm and tempo.
The Jaguars find themselves in dire need of victories as they strive to remain in playoff contention, needing to win every remaining game. With a schedule that includes four more divisional games, along with matchups against the struggling New York Jets and Las Vegas, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “I feel the best I’ve felt in the past few weeks, so I’m excited about it,” Lawrence expressed regarding his return.
On the other side, Joe Mixon from the Texans faces the prospect of bouncing back after a lackluster performance last week, where he only managed 22 yards from 14 carries. His previous week’s performance had been a standout, racking up 109 yards and three touchdowns. Coach Ryans pointed to insufficient blocking as a key factor in the struggles. “We’ve just got to finish our blocks, especially when we’re on the second level,” Ryans said. Mixon currently ranks third in the league for rushing yards, averaging 87.3, and faces a Jaguars defense that ranks 26th against the run.
Meanwhile, the spotlight is on Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, with many speculating about his future following a severe 52-6 defeat to Detroit. Although owner Shad Khan refrained from making changes, the ongoing struggles—14 losses in the last 17 games—have raised concerns. Historically, every coach in Jaguars history has seen their tenure end after losing to an AFC South opponent, increasing scrutiny on Pederson, especially with a guaranteed losing record looming for the 11th time in Khan’s 13 seasons.
On a brighter note for the Texans, their defensive line recently made headlines by tying a franchise record with eight sacks against Tennessee. Key contributors included Danielle Hunter, who achieved a season-high of three sacks, while Will Anderson Jr. added two in his comeback after an ankle injury. “Our rushing duo really raises havoc,” stated Ryans, highlighting the challenges that opposing quarterbacks face due to their aggressive play. Currently, Houston ranks second in the NFL with 42 sacks, led by Hunter’s impressive tally of 10½ and Anderson’s 9½.