Texans vs Jaguars Predictions, Picks, Odds, Preview

The Houston Texans got their first win of the season at the expense of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, and are looking to double down on their mastery of Doug Marrone’s team this year. The Jags may have a surprise up in their sleeves though as they bring in an unproven quarterback to start the game. You remember Gardner Minshew Mania last year, right

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Betting Preview for the Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars Regular Season Week 9 Game on November 8, 2020

Where: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville

When: Sunday, November 8, 2020, 1:00 PM ET

Line: Houston Texans (-6.5) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5) – view all 2020 NFL lines

TV Broadcast: CBS

Betting on the Houston Texans (-6.5)

Regular Season Record: 1-6

Well, the Texans are long shots to make the playoffs, but they didn’t become sellers either ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. That means an intact roster for Houston when they meet Jacksonville for the second time this season. The Texans defeated Jacksonville at home in Week 5, 30-14, to notch the team’s first win of the year. Deshaun Watson went 25 of 35 in that game for 359 passing yards with two interceptions while running back David Johnson rushed 17 times for 96 yards. In most games, the Texans will have the worst defense between two sides, but that will not be the case in this meeting with Jacksonville. The Texans lost its last two games to the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers not because they couldn’t score, but because their defense couldn’t make stops. The Jaguars can put up points as well, but their defense is simply the worst in the NFL, and that’s something Houston will love to abuse. In fact, the Jaguars are last in the NFL in DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). Brandin Cooks’ eyes must be clicking like a cash register right now, as he looks to torch Jacksonville’s secondary again. He had 161 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight receptions in the win over Jacksonville.

The Texans are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against the Jaguars.

Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5)

Regular Season Record: 1-6

Gardner Minshew will not be under center for the Jaguars in Week 9, as the sophomore quarterback has already been declared out by the team due to a thumb injury. Instead, it will be sixth-round rookie Jake Luton who’ll start this coming Sunday against the Texans, though there could be a chance that veteran Mike Glennon will see some action as well. Luton has a good quarterback size at 6-6, 224 pounds. In his last season for the Oregon State Beavers, Luton was one of only three quarterbacks in 2019 to have at least 21 touchdowns and no more than three interceptions. (The other two were Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields.) Still, not much is expected of an inexperienced pro quarterback working alongside inferior offensive talents. That being said, Houston’s defense has the potential to make the inferior look superior. The Texans’ defense is almost just as bad as Jacksonville’s, as it is 28th in DVOA and third-worst in the NFL with 31.0 points allowed per game. James Robinson, who rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in Week 7’s 39-29 loss to the LA Chargers, is once again staring at Houston’s stop unit that is 31st overall with 165.9 rushing yards allowed per game. The Jags rushed for just 20 times in the first meeting with Houston, but look for them to expand their ground attack on Sunday, especially since they are breaking in a new quarterback.

The under is 6-4 in the Jags’ last 10 home games.