Jags predictions: Here's who NFL experts are picking to win Jaguars vs. Texans in Week 3
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a chance to exact revenge for their playoff loss last season. They couldn't beat the Chiefs; can they rebound this Sunday against the Houston Texans?
The Jags are 1-1 after the offense stumbled to a 17-9 loss last week. Trevor Lawrence threw for only 216 yards, and an offense that features Travis Etienne, Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram was kept out of the end zone.
The Texans are off to an 0-2 start with losses to the Ravens and Colts. The good news for Houston is quarterback C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, looked the part last week. The Ohio State product threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns, with 146 of those yards going to Nico Collins.
Houston shocked Jaguars fans last season in Jacksonville, winning 13-6 in October on a Dameon Pierce TD run with 3 minutes to go.
More from the Chiefs game: Jaguars' offense 'kind of embarrassing' in humbling 17-9 home loss
Who wins on Sunday? Here's a look at predictions by NFL experts and analysts across the nation:
Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Jaguars 24-10
"Houston struggled against a very young Colts team that had Anthony Richardson knocked out fairly early in the second quarter. The Jaguars have more talent across the board and are looking to bounce back after a loss, against a division opponent. Until they prove otherwise, the Texans aren’t worth backing just yet, even against big spreads like this one."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Jaguars 27-20
"Houston seems to have Trevor Lawrence's number with its defensive, and the scheming and personnel has improved to force him to become more patient. The Texans' defense, however, is terrible against the run so it's chance to get the Jaguars' QB well with plenty of Travis Etienne. The Texans will contain some big plays and have more success throwing the ball downfield with C.J. Stroud."
Kris Knox, Bleacher Report: Jaguars 26-17
"The Jaguars beat the Colts by 10, and the Colts beat Houston by 11. Jacksonville should win by three scores, right? Unfortunately, the NFL isn't a game of rudimentary math, and this is actually a difficult line for the Jags to cover. Houston's defense has some talent, and C.J. Stroud is playing exceptionally well, given his supporting cast.
"I just get the feeling that Trevor Lawrence and Co. are angry about producing just three field goals against Kansas City. Jacksonville tries running up the score in a bounce-back effort."
John Breech, CBS Sports: Jaguars 27-17
Breech picked the Texans to upset the Colts last week. He seems to have reconsidered his stance on Houston.
"I'm not sure what I was drinking last week, but it must have been something strong, because I somehow convinced myself that the Texans were going to beat the Colts. ... If the Texans had played as good as pineapple tastes on pizza, they would have won by seven touchdowns, but they didn't. If the Texans were a pizza topping, they'd be anchovies."
More Jags vs. Texans predictions: Our staff picks Sunday's game
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Jaguars 31-20
"The Jags know the time has come to wake up the offense. A perfect opponent for it is coming to town."
Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Jaguars 26-18
"Trevor Lawrence and Co. took a step back in Week 2, settling for field goals in three trips to the red zone. That's not going to be enough — even against a rookie quarterback still navigating the game at the highest level. I expect Jacksonville to rebound offensively against a Houston D that's allowing 28 points per game. Rookie C.J. Stroud showed improvement in throwing for nearly 400 yards last week, but the man needs better protection. He's been sacked a league-high 11 times in two weeks — David Carr is somewhere having serious flashbacks right now — and the Jags' opportunistic defense is sure to take advantage of the Texans' shoddy O-line."
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Jaguars 31-24
"Rookie C.J. Stroud passed for 384 yards in Week 2, but the Texans still lost to the Colts. There could be a similar theme in Week 3. Stroud should have some success against a Jacksonville defense that allows 256.5 yards per game, but Trevor Lawrence will return the favor. That spread is a little high knowing Jacksonville is 0-3 ATS a home favorite since last season."
Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Jaguars 27-14
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Jaguars 31-19
"The Texans have given the Jaguars fits in recent years, but not in this one. The Jacksonville offense is coming off a poor showing against the Chiefs. But they will get it going here against the Texans. Trevor Lawrence has his first big day of the season."
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jaguars vs. Texans predictions: NFL analysts pick Week 3 game 2023
