HOUSTON — The Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) are at a critical juncture in their season.
It's hard to find a silver lining in the season so far other then taking a 17-7 lead over Miami into the third quarter in Week 1? After a 47-10 humiliation against the Buffalo Bills, fans are about to storm the Bastille. Losing to the Bills isn't horrible, but losing like that is.
Notably the play calling, execution from Trevor Lawrence and the offensive line have struggled mightily for the Jags. The team has converted seven of 32 third downs this year. They've scored four touchdowns and 40 points total through three weeks. Those are not playoff team figures.
On defense, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the only team in the NFL that hasn't forced a turnover. The pass rush has suffered and the Jaguars having third-worst time of possession keeps the defense on the field and fatigued.
The Texans have barely beat the Colts in Week 1, 29-27, and in Week 2 beat the rebuilding Chicago Bears 19-13, which were expected wins. The resurgent Minnesota Vikings pasted the Texans last week 34-7 and the Texans, a consensus favorite to retain the AFC South crown, need a response to live up to that billing.
The Jaguars got smoked by the Texans at home 37-17 early last year, but nine weeks later they beat the Texans at NRG Stadium 24-21. In the AFC South this week, the Indianapolis Colts (1-2) face the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers at home and the 0-3 Tennessee Titans face the 1-2 Miami Dolphins on the road.
There's no shame in losing to a potentially elite quarterback like C.J. Stroud, but a defeat would essentially end their season barring a miraculous change. Owner Shad Khan has a history of letting a coach stay on for an extra year or two past their expiration date. Doug Pederson is on the hotseat; basically any coach who last name isn't Reid, MacDermott, Shanahan or Campbell is. There's been lots of chatter from media and fans this week about a candidate whose name rhymes with "Hill Hellichek."
However, this is a good time to face the banged up Texans where Tank Dell is out and Joe Mixon is questionable.
Here's a look at the Jaguars' injury list: Tight end Evan Engram, Safety Darnell Savage and linebackers Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd are out. CB Jarrian Jones is questionable.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. in Houston.
