Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
Today, we’re previewing Week 3’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium.
What’s your biggest question about the team after its Week 2 choke job?
Travis Holmes: My biggest looming question is when will the switch click in for Trevor Lawrence and the passing game? Entering the season, I expected defensive ups and downs as things settled. But the Jaguars are currently fourth in the league in total yards per game,
14th in passing yards, 1st in rushing yards, and 7th in points per game (26.5) while their top two receivers in Thomas Jr and Hunter have been nowhere close to their ceilings. That’s both interesting and encouraging, but the question remains – when will it all click?
Gus Logue: What the heck is going on with Brian Thomas Jr.? Now that we’ve had some time to let Week 2 marinate, I’m not overly concerned about his shying away from contact. It’s something to monitor as a potential trend, but until it does become a frequent pattern, I won’t get swept up by one or two bang-bang plays. With that said, Thomas has only caught 5 of 19 targets for 60 yards this season. He has to get going for this team to get to where they want.
Henry Zimmer: The biggest question with the Jaguars right now is how they will respond after last week. In interviews, the team seemed not to think this problem would persist. Let’s see if that is the case against a team they usually struggle with.
What’s a matchup you’re looking forward to watching?
Travis: I’m extremely curious if this will be the week that Christian Kirk is finally able to make his season debut for Houston. If I’ve had career years with an organization and then I’d been traded from that team for a lower round draft pick, I’d probably have that game circled on my calendar for a very, very, very long time. The Texans didn’t place Kirk on IR, with an assumed eye on him being out for less than four weeks. With us officially into AFC South play, I’d expect Kirk to try and go, after missing the first two games, but practicing as a limited participant on Wednesday. If the shifty slot can suit up, the battle between him and Jourdan Lewis will be popcorn-worthy and could decide the matchup.
Gus: Jacksonville’s run offense against Houston’s run defense. The Texans have allowed the highest rushing success rate in the league this season (50%) because the spine of their defense isn’t as talented as the shell. Expect the Jaguars to want to take advantage of this matchup, especially after they got away from the run in Week 2.
Henry: Who is going to beat Derick Stingley Jr.? Stingley played extremely well in primetime against the Bucs. Someone from the Jags will have to beat him eventually. With Brian Thomas Jr.’s status in the air, who is going to step up?
Who will be the biggest X-factor?
Travis: My biggest X-factor on Sunday is Texans DE Danielle Hunter. With Walker Little coming off a game where he nearly allowed a game-changing two turnovers on Sunday to Trey Hendrickson, I guarantee that the Texans have the redzone QB hit that led to an interception and the near-strip sack fumble of Lawrence playing on repeat this week. With Little nearly surrendering two game-altering plays to an Edge just a week ago and Danielle coming off of a two-sack game with a fumble forced, don’t be surprised if this is a heavy running back and tight end chipping week for Jacksonville.
Gus: Nico Collins. Like Thomas, he has also gotten off to a slow start this season, but we know what both of those guys are capable of. Depending on Kirk’s health, Collins is the only real playmaker in Houston’s offense. The Jaguars haven’t been able to slow down opposing WR1s much through two weeks, so whether Collins can carry the Texans could decide the game.
Henry: The Jaguars’ offensive line is my X-Factor. This unit has been tremendous and a huge breath of fresh air for Jacksonville. With two games over 100 yards rushing and only one sack, the Jags will need to keep that up against a hard-hitting and quarterback-hunting defensive line.
Final score prediction?
Travis: Jaguars 27, Texans 17
Gus: Jaguars 20, Texans 13
Henry: Jags 17, Texans 24
What are your Week 3 predictions, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
