Texans at Jaguars -- Week 2
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Texans by 7.5
Forecast: Partly cloudy, mid-80s
Records: Texans (Overall: 1-0, AFC South: 0-0); Jaguars (Overall: 0-1, AFC South: 0-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 27, 2011: Texans 20, Jaguars 13. Oct. 30, 2011: Texans 24, Jaguars 14. Series record: Texans lead 11-9.
What matters: Although the Jaguars aren’t a juggernaut, they've played plenty of close games at home against the Texans. The last four games between these teams at EverBank Field have all been decided by a touchdown or less. Houston needs to get its running game on track. RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate combined for 85 yards against the Dolphins last week on 31 carries (2.7 yards per carry).
Who matters: DE J.J. Watt impacted the game in a big way against the Dolphins. He had 1.5 sacks and also deflected three passes, two of which were intercepted by teammates. QB Matt Schaub got off to a slow start but completed 15 of his final 17 passes last week. He ended his first game since injuring his foot Nov. 13 of last year with 266 passing yards and a touchdown.
Key matchups: After intercepting rookie QB Ryan Tannehill three times last week, the Texans' defense will face second-year QB Blaine Gabbert in Week 2. Gabbert played well against the Vikings, throwing for 260 yards and two touchdowns, but he will be facing one of the better pass rushes in the league. Gabbert was sacked twice by the Vikings, and he will rely on his offensive line to keep him upright against Houston’s front seven.
Injuries of note: Foster had to leave practice early Wednesday due to an illness, but he was back at practice Thursday. DE Antonio Smith missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury. LB Bryan Braman had to leave practice early Thursday due to his sore hamstring that kept him out against the Dolphins.
Inside stuff: Coach Gary Kubiak said this week WR Andre Johnson looks like the Andre Johnson from four or five years ago. Johnson had eight catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.
Connections: Texans offensive assistant Jim Ryan played at William & Mary in 1974 with Jaguars LB coach Mark Duffner.
Stat you should know: In the last meeting with the Jaguars, OLB Connor Barwin set a franchise record with four sacks to go along with 10 tackles, five tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.
Record watch: Kubiak can bring his career head coaching record to 49-49 with a win on Sunday. Foster is just 20 yards from passing Domanick Williams (3,195 yards) as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.
Bulletin board quote: Watt on if there were any areas where the defense could rattle Gabbert: “Yeah, I think we see that in every quarterback. With our defense, with as many playmakers as we have, it’s so much fun to fly around, to make plays. We have so many guys that can come from some many angles. It’s tough for any quarterback, and it’s tough for any offense to try to block us all.”
Looking ahead: The Texans face their toughest test of the first quarter of their schedule next week when they play at Denver and former division rival Peyton Manning. The Broncos will be dealing with a short week since they play at Atlanta on Monday night. After the trip to Denver, Houston hosts Tennessee.
Prediction: Texans 27, Jaguars 17
Follow Texans blogger Sean Bielawski on Twitter @CBSTexans.
