Texans-Jags grudge match countdown: implications, standings, and statement performances
DIVISION ON THE LINE
21 November 2023
After weeks of looking ahead to the Texans' second matchup with the Jaguars, the exact scenario Houston fans were hoping for has come to fruition.
If the Texans can beat the Jags at NRG this Sunday, they will vault to the top of the division, and be in control of their own destiny as they head toward the playoffs.
What a wild season it has been. So who has the advantage in this game? Vegas has the Jaguars as 1.5 point favorites, even though the game is in Houston.
The Jags are coming off a convincing victory over the Titans, but were hammered the previous week by the 49ers. When we look at the matchups the Texans can exploit, attacking Jacksonville through the air looks like the way to go.
They are 4th overall in rushing yards against this season, so don't expect Devin Singletary to have his third straight game with over 100 rushing yards. The Jaguars defense only allows 87 yards per game on average.
They're 26th in the league when it comes to sacks, so CJ Stroud should have some time to operate in the passing game. And while yards should be fairly easy to come by in the air, Stroud will have to be careful when it comes to interceptions. Not only because he threw 3 of them against Arizona, but also because the Jags have the 4th-most interceptions in the league.
The other big factor to watch for in this game involves reputation. Stroud and the Texans have already beaten Jacksonville handily this year, winning by 20 points. If the Texans can beat them again and be in position to go from worst to first in the division, it will be clear that the Texans have the best QB in the AFC South.
And the MVP talk about CJ Stroud will gain even more momentum.
Don't miss the video above as we discuss all the angles in this division-deciding matchup between Houston and Jacksonville.
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Taylor Walls hit a game-ending sacrifice fly and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to beat the Houston Astros 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The Rays trailed 2-0 until Jonathan Aranda's two-run single in the eighth inning tied the score.
Christian Morel then led off the ninth with a walk against Kaleb Ort (1-1) and advanced to third on pinch-hitter Brandon Lowe's double to left-center. After Josh Lowe popped out, Walls hit a fly ball to drive in Morel to give the Rays their 12th win in 30 games at Steinbrenner Field, their temporary home this season.
Manuel Rodriguez (1-2) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win.
Astros left-hander Brandon Walter, making his first major league start, pitched five strong innings in his Houston debut.
Jake keeps raking!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/pEZCtLHHjQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2025
Jake Meyers hit an RBI double in the second for the Astros, and Isaac Paredes had a solo homer in the third against his former team to make it 2-0.
Paredes with a solo shot!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/POW8Pj6wgZ
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2025
Rays starter Zach Littell allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings. He struck out six.
Key moment
With the Rays trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth, with one out and runners on first and second, Kameron Misner and Jose Caballero pulled off a double steal to set up Aranda's tying single to right field.
Key stat
Starting for the first time after making nine relief appearances for Bostohn in 2023, Walter gave up three hits and struck out five.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (6–2, 1.43 ERA) goes against Rays RHP Taj Bradley (3–3, 4.80 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday.
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