The Trevor Lawrence Era for the Jacksonville Jaguars is about to formally start this coming Sunday, as the Jags take on the Houston Texans on the road. Check out our preview of this game along with our pick for the winner and final score below.
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Betting Preview for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans Regular Season Week 1 Game on September 12, 2021
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
When: Sunday, September 12, 2021, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) vs Houston Texans (+2.5) – view all 2021 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
Regular Season Record: 0-0
The Jaguars went 1-15 in 2020. They won the first game by stunning the Indianapolis Colts then proceeded to lose the next 15 games. The reward for that remarkable tank job is now their new quarterback. Selected by the Jaguars first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Trevor Lawrence is expected to lead Jacksonville to become a relevant team in the league, or at least in the division. The Jags also have a fresh face as a coach, with Urban Meyer making the jump to the pros. Playing the Texans is a great chance for Lawrence to get his feet wet and develop confidence in the NFL. The Texans had one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2020 when they allowed 29.0 points and 416.8 total yards per game.
The Jags are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games against AFC South teams. They are also 5-1 against the spread in their last six September games.
Betting on the Houston Texans (+2.5)
Regular Season Record: 0-0
As of this writing, it’s still unclear who will start as Houston’s quarterback in Week 1. But the belief is that it will be Tyrod Taylor who will be the team’s starter against the Jags. It’s good news for the Jags, as Deshaun Watson is definitely the better quarterback, but Taylor is a decent option who’s got experience and dual-threat capabilities as well. Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins make up for the Texans’ top options downfield, an uninspiring duo, but the two can still deal damage against Jacksonville’s pass defense that allowed opponents to complete 69.42 of their passes in 2020. The ground attack of Houston features vets in David Johnson, Mark Ingram and former Rookie of the Year winner Philip Lindsay.
The Texans are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games as underdogs. Moreover, the under is 4-1 in their last five games as underdogs at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Jaguars win, 23-21.
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