Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans Preview, Tips, and Odds

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Houston Texans for a week seven NFL battle. The two AFC South rivals are in a tie with the Tennessee Titans for first place in the division. The Jaguars come into this game on a two-game losing streak after getting blown out by the Dallas Cowboys. The Houston Texans have won three straight games after getting off to a terrible start to the 2018 season. This is a battle of two of the best defenses in the NFL and points could be at a premium in this game.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a 4.5 point favorite over the Houston Texans in this game. The over/under for total points is set at 42.5 in this game.

This is the first of two meetings between the Jaguars and Texans this season. The two teams will also meet in week 17 to conclude the regular season. The Jacksonville Jaguars blew out the Houston Texans in both meetings a season ago. Prior to last season, the Texans had won six straight games against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles has completed just 61 percent of his passes this season and has struggled to take care of the ball. Bortles has thrown just nine touchdown passes this season while throwing eight interceptions. The Jaguars have just two rushing touchdowns all season long with Bortles and T.J. Yeldon each finding the end zone one time.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been beating teams with his legs this season. Watson has rushed for 203 yards this season and has accounted for ten total touchdowns. Wide receiver Deandre Hopkins has been targeted 63 times this season and has hauled in 44 catches for 657 yards.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been without running back Leonard Fournette for the last two games. With Fournette out, the Chiefs signed former All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles, who and he was active in the Jaguars week six loss. Jacksonville hopes that Fournette will play in this game, but his status is unclear at this time.

The Houston Texans are set to activate running back D’Onta Foreman of the PUP list in the coming weeks. Foreman has been out all season while he is recovering from an achilles injury that he suffered last season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were expected to own the AFC South division, but they have struggled mightily in recent weeks. Jacksonville has one of the best defenses in the NFL on paper, but that talent has not shown up on the field in their last two losses.

The Houston Texans have won three straight games, but all three games have been close. Houston struggles to move the ball on offense, and that will come back to bite them in this game. Look for the Jaguars to shut down the Texans and win this game by double digits. Bet the Jacksonville Jaguars -4.5 over the Houston Texans.