Jaguars vs. Texans: 5 Players to Watch
It is another AFC South showdown in week three as the Houston Texans visit Jacksonville in search of their first win of the season. The Jaguars look to bounce back after a disappointing 17-9 defeat against the reigning Super Bowl Champions last week. What players need to step up if the Jaguars are to get back on track with a winning record?
Here are my five Jaguars to watch Sunday against the Texans.
QB Trevor Lawrence
Simply put, the Jaguars’ offense is underperforming. The team is currently ranked last in the NFL in 3rd down conversion rate and their redzone success isn’t faring much better as Trevor Lawrence finished 0-7 passing against the Chiefs this past weekend. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, Lawrence just hasn’t been good enough.
We all know the player Lawrence can be. In week one, Lawrence made several throws that not many in the league can make, however, the consistency just hasn't been there for No.16. He’ll need a good game to outduel C.J. Stroud who has caught fire early on in his rookie year, despite the Texans’ poor record.
RB Travis Etienne
The Jaguars’ running game got off to a fast start in week one as Travis Etienne ran for 77 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Against the Chiefs, the run game stalled out as Etienne struggled to get anything going, gaining 40 yards on 12 carries.
While the offensive line is no doubt partly to blame, we should expect more from the team’s star back against a weak Texans’ defensive front. In 2022 against the Texans, Etienne scampered for 179 yards on 19 carries, including a touchdown. That’s without even mentioning his 75 yards receiving he had as well. Etienne should be in for a big game Sunday.
OT Anton Harrison
In week two, Harrison had his welcome to the NFL moment as he faced off against All-Pro Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones gave Harrison everything he had. Against the Chiefs, Harrison allowed three pressures and two sacks on 50 pass-block snaps, mostly when facing Jones.
Harrison performed well in week one and during the preseason and it isn’t surprising he struggled against the NFL’s best. In week three, Harrison will face off against fellow rookie and former Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. In his first two games, Anderson has played well, collecting seven pressures and one sack. It will be a clash of rookie titans on Sunday.
OLB Travon Walker
Speaking of young AFC South defensive ends, Travon Walker needs to have a dominant performance Sunday. He went wild against the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener, but his impact wasn’t felt quite the same against the Chiefs.
In 2023, Walker has pressured the quarterback on four occasions, one ending as a sack. While he has Pro Football Focus’ highest Pass Rush Win % on the team at 11.3%, the Jaguars hope to see him make more of an impact on the box score Sunday against the Chiefs.
CB Tyson Campbell
Tyson Campbell is starting 2023 just how he played in 2022, excellently. Last season, Campbell finished as one the NFL’s best cornerbacks. Campbell allowed an NFL Rating of 86.0 and just 512 yards on the season. In just two games of the 2023 season, he has already collected his first interception.
Sunday, Campbell is likely to see a lot of time against the Texans’ Nico Collins, who has cemented himself as the Texans’ No.1 receiver already this season. Collins is on pace for a fantastic season as the former Michigan Wolverine has 13 catches for 226 yards and a score. Campbell will be expected to slow down Collins and force Stroud to look for other options to best the Jaguars’ fierce defense.
