NFL Picks: Week 3 Texans vs Jaguars

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In the world of the NFL, every game has its significance, but divisional matchups always stand out. These games have added weight because they have implications for divisional standings and, potentially, playoff seeding. This week’s game is no exception as the Houston Texans face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

BUSR NFL Lines

Spread: Texans +9.5 (-110), Jaguars -9.5 (-110) 

Moneyline: Texans +350, Jaguars -480

Total: O 43.5 (-110), U 43.5 (-110) 

Houston Texans: Searching for a Win

Coming into the game with an 0-2 record, the Texans have yet to find their footing this season. Their previous game against the Indianapolis Colts saw them losing 31-20. Despite the loss, the offense displayed some sparks. CJ Stroud, the starting quarterback, showed promise as he racked up 384 passing yards with 30 completions out of 47 attempts, adding 2 touchdowns to his name. Dameon Pierce, with a modest 31 rushing yards, led the ground attack, while Nico Collins emerged as the leading receiver with a commendable 146 yards on 7 catches, along with a touchdown. On the defense, M.J. Stewart stood tall with a combined total of 10 tackles. However, the defensive unit couldn’t manage a sack or an interception, areas they’ll hope to improve on in their upcoming game.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Balancing the Scales

The Jaguars present a slightly different story with a 1-1 record. With a divisional game win already in their pocket, they’ll be eager to continue their dominance in the division. Their most recent game, a 17-9 loss to the formidable Kansas City Chiefs, was a testament to their defensive prowess, limiting the Chiefs to a score that few teams manage. Trevor Lawrence, under center, put up 216 yards with 22 completions from 41 attempts. Travis Etienne Jr. showcased his abilities as the lead rusher, clocking 40 yards, while Christian Kirk dominated the air with 110 yards on 11 catches. Defensively, Foyesade Oluokun’s combined 10 tackles and K’Lavon Chaisson’s sack highlighted their efforts, with Andre Cisco’s interception being the lone bright spot in the turnover department.

Betting Insights

BUSR’s NFL Odds put the Jaguars as 9.5-point favorites. This isn’t surprising, given their commendable defensive performance against the Chiefs and a divisional road win against the Colts. The Texans, although showing offensive momentum in their last game, struggled on the road in their first week. Facing a solid Jaguars defense on an away game might prove challenging for the Texans. Given the Jaguars’ combined talent on both sides of the ball, it looks like the Texans might have a tough time making a significant impact. The suggested betting strategy would be to bank on the Jaguars covering the spread.

Injury Report

The Texans’ injury list is lengthy and concerning. On the defense, cornerback T. Thomas is day-to-day due to a hand issue, while J. Pitre (S) has a lung-related problem and N. Hewitt (LB) is sidelined due to an illness. The offensive line sees a plethora of issues with tackles L. Tunsil, T. Howard, and C. Heck all facing injuries, while guards K. Green and K. Zierer are on the injured reserve. The receiver room isn’t spared either, with N. Brown and J. Matthews both out. Adding to the woes, C. Johnston (P) is also out indefinitely.

On the other side, the Jaguars are dealing with their fair share of injuries. Their secondary faces concern with A. Johnson (S) being day-to-day due to a hamstring issue, while G. Junior (CB) is out indefinitely. The offensive line and the linebacking corps also have significant names out, including C. Hodges (OT), V. Miller (LB), and C. Robinson (OL), who is eligible to return in Week 5 following a suspension.