How Texans offense can seize advantages, unlock potential versus desperate Jaguars
TEXANS ON TAP
26 September 2024
CJ Stroud and Trevor Lawrence square off this weekend. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Texans host the Jaguars this Sunday, with CJ Stroud and company looking to get back on track after getting pounded by the Vikings last week.
The Jaguars also come into this matchup hungry for a win, having started the season 0-3.
On defense, the Texans will need better production from their interior defensive linemen this week. Houston's defensive tackles rank second to last in the league this year according to PFF, and HC DeMeco Ryans made a point of saying he wants to see some improvement from that group.
Big week coming for Nico Collins?
Collins popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring issue, but if he's able to play, the matchup for him is fantastic.
Houston #Texans Thursday Injury Report for Week 4 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars: pic.twitter.com/8RF9BDwhts
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 26, 2024
The Jaguars lead the league in using man coverage, and they've employed press coverage over 80% of the time this season. No receiver in the league has better numbers against those coverages than Nico.
Collins leads the NFL in first downs per route run versus man and press coverage.
The Jags are one of two defenses to use press coverage +80% of the time in 2024.
Best WR vs. press coverage?
Nico Collins pic.twitter.com/5VND5PVO4O
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 25, 2024
Houston may have to lean on Collins (assuming his hamstring is good) and Stefon Diggs this week, with Tank Dell likely unavailable for the game with an injury to his chest/ribs.
Dell injured himself at the end of the Vikings game on a meaningless drive, with backup QB Davis Mills in for Stroud.
What does Vegas think?
Depending on which sportsbook you're looking at, the Texans are favored by either 6 or 6.5 points.
The total for the game comes in at 45.5.
Be sure to watch the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap covers all the angles in their game breakdown.
Plus, join us on the SportsMapTexans YouTube channel directly following the game as we'll react live to all the action!
The Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday acquired tackle Austin Deculus from the Houston Texans.
The Chargers will send a 2027 conditional seventh-round pick to Houston.
Deculus was picked sixth by Houston in the 2022 NFL draft and has appeared in 15 career games including the postseason, making a pair of starts.
He saw the most action of his career in 2023, when he played in seven games with one start, contributing along an offensive line that helped quarterback C.J. Stroud throw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns.
A four-year starter at right tackle at Louisiana State, Deculus played five years for the Tigers, making 46 starts. His 61 games were the most by any player in program history. Deculus played with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow.
With Deculus off the roster, here's a look at how the Texans look after cutting down to 53 players.
The Initial 53-Man Roster 🤘 pic.twitter.com/78xyi1kopY
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 26, 2025
