The AFC South has been one of the more competitive divisions in the NFL this season. While watching the teams compete, no one team is playing lights out on either side of the ball, but no team within the division is below .500. That makes this Sunday’s matchup between the 5-3 Texans and the 4-4 Jaguars one of extreme importance for both teams.
Both teams trail the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts, who are 5-2 currently, but the Colts have a relatively tough matchup this week, heading to Pittsburgh. So both the Texans and the Jags look to gain some ground this week. Right now, the Texans are only favored by 1.5. The over/under is 46.
Losing a Legend
We learned this week that Texans legendary defensive end, JJ Watt will have season-ending surgery. The Texans pushed the chips all in this offseason and leading into the 2019 season. They tried to secure every shred of talent they could get, and also traded away former top pick Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks. It’s as if Bill O’Brien can actually feel his seat getting hotter.
It’s impossible to talk about the Texans and leave out the stellar quarterback play of Deshaun Watson. The Clemson product has made every team that passed on him to draft a different QB feel pretty silly. He’s off to his best start in 2019, already racking up 2,231 passing yards and 16 TDs to only five INTs. His passer rating sits at 105.7 on the season and 103.8 for his career.
Houston’s much-improved running game, anchored by Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, is sixth in the NFL in yards per game. Their receiving corps, led by veteran DeAndre Hopkins, ranks 10th in the NFL in receiving yards per game. You can throw on Jacksonville, as its pass defense ranks right in the middle of the league.
Minshew Breaks Out
Since coming in for an injured Nick Foles in Week 1, quarterback Gardner Minshew has led the Jags to a 4-4 record with 13 touchdowns to only two interceptions. With Foles nearing his return, Minshew’s future may be in question, but he will get the nod again this Sunday, in another chance to show the Jags that he is THE guy.
Second-year wideout DJ Chark Jr. looks to continue the torrid pace he has set through the first half of the season. Averaging 82.5 yards per game, Chark is currently seventh in receiving yards league-wide. The combination of Chark at wideout and Leonard Fournette in the backfield has been a fairly lethal and consistent duo this season.
AFC South Race
With things heating up in the AFC South, this should be a very good contest on Sunday. The Texans and Jags showdown will be played across the pond this week in London. So if you want to tune in, make sure and set an alarm for early Sunday morning. Kickoff is at 9:30 am ET with the Jags set to be the home team.
The Jags will play their seventh home game across the pond, as they have by far played the most games overseas. Wembley will undoubtedly be rocking for the Jags on Sunday, but I think those fans will be disappointed. I look for Houston to win and cover the points.
