Last time the Jaguars played the Houston Texans, Jacksonville was supposed to cruise to victory in a bounce-back win at home against an 0-2. team. But that’s not how the matchup went at all.
The Jaguars lost 37-17 and fell to 1-2 to kick off a season filled with high expectations. Since Week 3, Jacksonville has rebounded in a big way, but Houston proved their early season success wasn’t a fluke.
If the Jaguars lose, the Texans will take over first place in the AFC South. But a win for Jacksonville would cement them as the best team in the division.
Here are five Jaguars players to watch in their Week 12 game against the Texans:
QB Trevor Lawrence
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the most important player for the Jags as they take on the Texans. He’ll need to be at the top of his game if Jacksonville wants to keep up with Houston’s prolific offense.
In their last meeting, Lawrence finished with 27 completions on 40 attempts for 279 yards, a touchdown and one interception. His performance wasn’t anywhere near close enough to beat the Texans, though.
Lawrence has played better since the Week 3 loss, and he’s coming off a strong performance against the Tennessee Titans. Jacksonville will need the best version of Lawrence to keep up with C.J. Stroud and Houston’s offense.
WR Calvin Ridley
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley has had an up-and-down season to say the least. But he had arguably his best performance of his season against the Titans in Week 11.
Ridley ended his day with seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns last week. Jacksonville needs him to look more like his Week 11 self than Week 3 Ridley.
In the team’s first meeting with Houston, the former Falcon caught three passes for 40 yards and had two costly drops. Most of Jacksonville’s best offensive days have come when Ridley was productive, so he’ll be important to getting his offense up and running.
TE Evan Engram
Every quarterback needs his safety blanket, and tight end Evan Engram has been that for Lawrence this year.
In the Jaguars’ last game against the Texans, Engram led the team in receptions and yards. He’ll need to be a factor once again to keep up with Houston.
In Week 3, he made seven catches for 67 yards, and he’s continued to be Lawrence’s safest option. While big plays will be necessary Sunday, Engram will need to be ready all game in case Lawrence is in need of a sure thing.
OLB Josh Allen
Edge rusher Josh Allen has been one of the Jaguars’ most pleasant surprises this year. While he can’t have a three-sack performance every game, he can get to the quarterback consistently on a weekly basis.
Allen tallied three quarterback hits the first time Jacksonville played Houston. While the pressure didn’t do much to stop Stroud from lighting up the Jags’ defense, he’ll need to do his best to disrupt Stroud in the rematch.
Houston gets the ball out quick, so Allen might not have many opportunities to get to Stroud. But the Texans’ offensive line isn’t good enough to keep Allen away from Stroud on some of the longer developing plays.
S Andre Cisco
Safety Andre Cisco has improved every season he’s played in the NFL, and this season has seen him take his biggest jump.
Cisco has three picks, four deflected passes, one forced fumble and 28 solo tackles. His biggest potential impact Sunday would be if he can force Stroud into a couple costly mistakes.
Cisco had seven total tackles and no interceptions in Week 3, and he’ll probably need to do more this week if the Jags want to beat the Texans in Houston.
