TEXANS VS. JAGS

Here's how the Houston Texans stack up against the Jaguars

Texans CJ Stroud

Can the Texans secure their first win of the season? Composite Getty Image.

cj stroud franchise (1)

What: Texans @ Jags

When: 9/24 12pm CST kickoff

Where: Jacksonville, FL EverBank Stadium

TV/Radio: KRIV-TV, KILT-Radio

Betting Lines: Jags -9 (-110), O/U 44.5 (-110) *As of this writing

The Texans come into this game a hobbled 0-2. The Jags are 1-1 with their only loss being a one score game to the defending WORLD CHAMPS! Don't get me started on that whole debate! I digress. The season is still young. This game has a chance to catch a division rival off guard. The problem is, this division rival is hitting their stride and the Texans are too busy applying Band-Aids to half the roster. Let's take a look at this matchup…

When the Jags have the ball: So far, the Jags haven't been able to successfully navigate their run offense. Averaging 3.6 yards per carry so far on 57 carries in their two games isn't what they expected. They want to pound the rock and use it to open up the pass game. This bodes well for the Texans because they're giving up 4.3 yards per carry so far this season. If they can find a way to hold it down with their run defense, it'll help the pass rush with longer down & distance. Trevor Lawrence has a lot more weapons now than he used to. Evan Engram, Calvin Ridley, Zay Jones (questionable), and Christian Kirk provide him with the type of weapons that make a quarterback's job easy. Good thing Tavierre Thomas and Steven Nelson have been true lockdown corners this season according to Pro Football Focus. They're ranked numbers 2 and 3 in the cornerback position grades...but Thomas is out with a hand injury for at least a week or two and Derek Stingley Jr could head to IR with a hamstring injury, per Aaron Wilson. Stingley Jr will definitely be missed. Given his injury history, he can't be relied upon until he proves otherwise. More on this later. With Jimmy Ward hopefully back at safety, they'll stand a much better chance.

When the Texans have the ball: The offensive line continues to be an issue. C.J. Stroud is proving himself to be the best of this year's rookie quarterbacks so far. While he's lost two fumbles this season, he hasn't thrown a pick. His fumbles can be attributed to the line woes, and him holding onto the ball too long, wanting to make a play. This Jags defense is tough. They have two talented high first round pass rushers in Josh Allen and Travon Walker. They also have guys who can cover, hit, and go sideline to sideline. Quicker throws (drags, ins/outs, slants, screens) will be Stroud's best friend. It'll also be an extension of the run game which desperately needs help. Averaging a paltry 2.5 yards per carry this season is not how you help your rookie quarterback. I really hope there are more runs called. 49 rushes through two games is not ideal either. With the injuries along the line, you'd think run blocking wouldn't be a problem because that's the easier of the two. Maybe a more power-based approach will be to their liking. That and quicker throws. Getting that average up around 4.5 per carry or more is best because it forces the defense to load the box and makes play action more effective.

Outcome: I believe the Texans will cover that 9 point spread. This team is too talented, when healthy, on defense to lose by double digits. The offense needs to help the defense out by sustaining drives and putting points on the board. The defense can help the offense by causing turnovers. They'll help each other to a 24-17 loss. That's a cover and the under. I think the Jags have more firepower on offense, their defense is healthier, and their quarterback has more experience. In wrestling terms, the Texans will take the pin, but put people on notice with their performance.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Astros take the opener. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning that sent the Houston Astros to an 8-5 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.

Christian Walker also had a two-run shot in the fourth to begin Houston's comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The Astros still trailed by one when Jeremy Peña singled in the sixth. Altuve followed with his drive off Jack Flaherty (1-3) that crashed off the wall above the left-field seats to put Houston up 4-3.

Altuve had two hits and three RBIs while batting second for the first time since 2023. He asked to move out of the leadoff spot to give him more time to get ready to hit in the first inning after coming in from the outfield. The nine-time All-Star moved to left field this year after spending his first 14 major league seasons playing second base.

Houston’s victory snapped a four-game winning streak for the Tigers, who got two homers from Riley Greene and one from Kerry Carpenter but managed just two other hits.

The Astros tacked on four runs in the seventh with the help of sloppy defense by the Tigers. Rookie shortstop Trey Sweeney made throwing errors on consecutive plays with no outs to put runners at second and third.

Mauricio Dubón singled to score them both and extend the lead. Houston added runs on a groundout by Altuve and an RBI single by Yordan Alvarez to push it to 8-3.

Houston starter Ronel Blanco allowed three hits and three runs while striking out six in five innings. Steven Okert (1-0) worked a scoreless sixth for the win. Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Flaherty yielded six hits and four runs — both season highs — in five-plus innings.

Key moment

Altuve’s home run.

Key stat

Peña has four hits in two games batting leadoff. He hit first Sunday — with Altuve getting a day off — and stayed in the top spot Monday when Altuve dropped to second.

Up next

Houston RHP Ryan Gusto (3-1, 2.78 ERA) opposes RHP Reese Olson (3-1, 3.28) when the series continues Tuesday night.

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome