![Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) tries to hold back Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) as he tries to get to Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during first quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Sunday, September 24, 2023. The Jaguars trailed 17 to 0 at the end of the first half. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2890,h_1625/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/279/01k5m5nbvy4xawwgyfz1.jpg "Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) tries to hold back Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) as he tries to get to Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during first quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Sunday, September 24, 2023. The Jaguars trailed 17 to 0 at the end of the first half. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]")
The Houston Texans face an early must-win game against their AFC South division rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars, on the road in Florida. After starting 0-2 with tight losses to both the Los Angeles Rams on the road in Week 1 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in Week 2, the pressure is already mounting.
The expectations in Houston have been quite high over the past few years after the successful rebuild season with head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud. Many thought the Texans’ start to the 2025 season would have been much better than it is now, and expected wins in the two games so far.
However, self-inflicted mistakes and big letdowns from the offense have given the Texans plenty to think about.
It is widely known that only four teams out of 165 that started 0-3 have made the playoffs. The last team to do that was the 2018 Houston Texans. I don’t think any Houston fans would want them to try that again, so it’s highly important that Stroud and company get a big win to turn the early part of the season around.
The Texans have done historically well against the Jaguars. There have been a lot of memorable performances in Jacksonville, most recently Stroud and Tank Dell’s breakout game in their rookie seasons back in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars struggled last season, and Trevor Lawrence has yet to live up to the expectations that made him the most hyped quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck.
Jacksonville is 1-1 entering this matchup, coming off a 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Jags beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, 26-10.
Lawrence has been struggling with turnovers early, with two touchdown passes and three interceptions so far this year. Travis Etienne Jr. has led a solid rushing attack, and the Texans will have to be aware of that.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars' wide receiver group is relatively new, with Dyami Brown, who was signed in free agency, and Brian Thomas Jr., who is expected to play on Sunday.
It’s hard to say if those problem gets fixed, but I believe Stroud will rebound after two rough outings, especially with veteran receiver Christian Kirk set to make his Texans debut against his former team. I am more certain that the Texans defense, considered to be one of the best units in the NFL, will have a standout performance.
Overall, the Texans do enough through the first three quarters for a comfortable first win of the season over the Jaguars, 27-14. The defense forces a couple of turnovers, and the offense looks much smoother through the air.