Houston Texans vs Jaguars: 2017 Week 1: Three things to watch

The Houston Texans begin their road to the Super Bowl this week as they look to trump the Jacksonville Jaguars at home, here’s three things to watch ahead of the season opener.

Will the Jacksonville Jaguars give the Houston Texans a run for their money in the first game?

Gameday: Sunday, Sep. 10

Time: 12 p.m. CDT

Radio: AM Sports Radio 610, FM 100.3 The Bull

The Houston Texans look to start their season with a bang as they face a familiar foe the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coming into this game, Houston Texans fans are super-optimistic on how Tom Savage will play now that he’s the full time starter.

Many were hoping to see Deshaun Watson under center this Sunday, but I think O’Brien made the right call with having Watson watch from the sideline and take notes.

The Houston Texans will be playing with heavy hearts though. Bill O’Brien has expressed that this season was dedicated to the entire city of Houston after Hurricane Harvey pounded the Houston area with heavy rain and caused unprecedented flooding.

There’s no doubt emotion will be shown this game from the players, but what will it take for the Houston Texans to get their first win of their 2017 season?

3 Things To Watch For:

1. Jacksonville Testing Their New Car

This one is a no-brainer, I think due to the inconsistency of Blake Bortles the Jaguars are going to pound the rock with their 2017 first-round pick Leonard Fournette. Fournette is a monster, he’s a classic run-up-the-gut back.

This is where the Texans defense needs to focus on Sunday. Last season, without the presence of J.J. Watt for the majority of the time, they ranked 11th in Opponent Rushing Yards per Game with them allowing the opponent to rush for an average of 97.6 yards each game. The good thing is that number is down when they play at home.

When the Texans had the home crowd behind them last season they allowed an average of 87 yards a game opposed to what they give up on the road which is 108.2 yards a game. With Watt, I expect the yards allowed to go down in numbers.

I don’t even need to explain it, we know what Watt can do when he’s healthy. I think Jacksonville will rush Fournette 15+ times, but I hope the Texans defense clogs up the running holes.

2. Questionabull O-Line

Without Duane Brown, things could be a mess. Kendall Lamm makes the start at LT till Brown ends his holdout. Nick Martin will make his first career start Sunday, last year he was out for the season due to injury.

More from House of Houston

My fellow contributor Brian Patterson and I were chatting the other day, we both agree that Nick Martin has the chance to be a perennial pro bowl level center. He’s an upgrade over Greg Mancz, but he still has value, being one of our best linemen in coverage last season. An interesting matchup I think is between right tackle Breno Giacomini against the Jaguars new right defensive end Calais Campbell, who came to the AFC South from the NFC West.

Giacomini has the toughest task on the entire offense in my opinion, he has to protect Savage’s blind side. Campbell isn’t a joke either, last year as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Campbell had 53 tackles, 8.0 sacks, and also one interception.

If the line can just give Savage time in the pocket and keep Savage on his feet, we’ll be all right. Even if the line does good this week, the line will still be questionable.

3. Turnovers and Sacks

This is a follow up to my 1st key. If they clog the holes up, it will force Blake Bortles to throw. Last year, Bortles was 7th in interceptions thrown with 16 picks. In addition, Jacksonville’s offensive line isn’t very good.

Obviously, this Texans defense can bring the heat. If they can collapse the pocket fast, it will force Bortles to hurry his throws which could lead to turnovers or sacks which will result in loss of yards.

Player To Watch: J.J. Watt

Talk about putting someone to the test, the Jaguars 2nd round pick Cam Robinson out of Alabama will have to guard J.J. Watt his first regular season game. This could be an absolute field day for arguably the best defensive player in the NFL.

One has to weigh their options. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year against a young kid who just got drafted, I’ll take Watt any day and everyday! Obviously, he is coming off a back injury, but I expect Watt to pick up where he left off before the injury and chase another DPOY. Maybe he will get pulled out for a few plays and gets some rest so they don’t over exhaust his back, but that’s for Mike Vrabel and O’Brien to decide.

I am predicting Watt to have 2.5 sacks Sunday and look back to normal with his relentless pass rush and his ability to absolutely blow up a run play.

Next: THREE reasons why J.J. Watt is the Person of the Year

Prediction

I think the Texans defense will show its dominance throughout the game with a pick and a fumble recovery. The Texans offense may struggle in the 1st half, but it will be picked up in the 2nd as they get the much needed win for Houston and start the season 1-0.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: TEXANS 26 – JAGUARS 14
Go Texans!

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Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2017 Week 1: Three things to watch

By Armani Gracia | Sep 9, 2017