Blake Bortles

Jaguars at Texans: Preview, Prediction, Odds

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:23 a.m. ET

Fansided, Randy Gurzi/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are 4-0 in the AFC South and they look to keep that record unblemished in Week 15 as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston is tied for first place in the AFC South at 7-6 while the Jags are 2-11 and once again one of the worst teams in the NFL.

One team is playing for a chance to repeat as divisional champions while the other is trying to salvage some pride. However, the Jaguars would love to play spoiler to give themselves something to build off of moving forward.

Here are the keys to victory for each team on Sunday.

Jacksonville Keys To Victory

Protect the football: Blake Bortles is the master of the multi-interception game and he always throws pick-sixes against the Houston Texans. He needs to go at least one game without throwing a touchdown to Houston to finally beat them.

Offensive balance: Part of keeping Bortles from throwing awful passes is to limit his passes thrown. Get the running game going to keep Houston off balance.

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Force Houston to throw: On defense they need to take away the running game. Quarterback Brock Osweiler has been awful for the Texans, so they need to make him be the one to beat them. The more Osweiler throws, the more mistakes will be there for the taking.

Houston Keys To Victory

Keep Clowning around: Last Sunday defensive end Jadeveon Clowney reminded the world why he was the first overall pick in the 2014 draft. He was by far the best player on the field against the Indianapolis Colts and was the biggest reason they won. They need him to keep his hot streak going to wrap up the AFC South.

Get Miller involved: Houston is better when they’re balanced. Brock Osweiler has been the less productive of their two offseason signings. Get the better signing going by getting Lamar Miller going early.

Throw it past the sticks: The Texans are converting third downs right at 40 percent on the season. Part of the reason for the low number is they don’t throw the ball past the first-down marker. This team needs to open things up and stop throwing dink-and-dunk passes.

Odds

Point Spread: Houston -6
Moneyline: Jacksonville +225, Houston -265
Over/Under: 39.5

Prediction

Houston may be bad on offense, but Jacksonville is just bad all around. Look for the team with the better defense to chalk up another win. Houston stays perfect in the least exciting divisional race in the NFL.
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars: 20, Houston Texans: 26