Simulation Picks
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Expert Picks
The Texans had a tough go of it last week against the Saints, but in going toe-to-toe with New Orleans, you got a glimpse of how talented this team is this season. I will always trust Deshaun Watson in a spot like this, and while I am a bit cautious due to the Houston offensive line, I have to believe the newly put-together unit has solidified some over the last week. The weapons are there for the Texans, while the Jaguars struggle to put up points even in victories. Jacksonville is down multiple starters on both sides of the ball, and I don’t see it standing up over the course of the game, even though I really like Gadner Minshew.
Don't let Jacksonville's Week 1 performance fool you. The Jaguars' defense is better than that and QB Gardner Menshew racked up 150 yards in a negative state of game, trailing by 24 and 21 points in the second half. In a closer game, Menshew will not be passing against a prevent defense. Also, the Texans' defense is for real despite giving up 30 points to Drew Brees on the road. Grab the Under.
If you throw out last week’s Chiefs game (and maybe we should, since they’re an Over machine) the Jaguars haven’t played a game that reached 40 total points since Week 12 of last season. Now they’re starting a rookie quarterback on the road, in a game featuring teams that both finished in the top five last year in fewest points allowed. The last two meetings between the Jags and Texans reached totals of 23 and 27. The Under is the play here.
I like the way the new QB played for Jacksonville. The Texans are coming off a very physical game on Monday night, and I think Jacksonville's defense will be tough on them. The Jags can limit DeAndre Hopkins. And Deshaun Watson really got beat up last week. Take the points.
Gardner Minshew looked great when pressed into action in Week 1, but I think it'll turn out that most QBs look great against that Chiefs defense. But I doubt the sixth-round rookie will put up a bunch of points in his first road start. I also like the Jaguars defense to beat up Deshaun Watson after he was sacked six times on Monday, and he may be less than 100% for this game after dealing with a back issue in Week 1. This seems like a good recipe for a low-scoring game in Houston.