Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans 9/12/21 - NFL Picks & Predictions

The Trevor Lawrence era in Jacksonville begins Sunday in Houston. Lawrence will be the immediate focus of a Jacksonville offense that has struggled in recent years. James Robinson and Carlos Hyde will have to help early in games to get the young QB settled after the season ending injury to first round running back Travis Etienne. Marvin Jones Jr is expected to be the primary target for Lawrence with Phillip Dorsett II expecting to make an immediate impact as well.

Jacksonville is expected to implement a 3-4 scheme under new DC Joe Cullen in an effort to turn around the lack luster defensive history in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has added several new pieces on the defensive side of the ball in free agency and within the draft to beef up the defense. With the new bodies and new coach the Jaguars will be a much better defense in 2021.

The Houston Texans are off a terrible season in 2020 and had a terrible offseason. Offensively the Texans will struggled with all the unanswered question surrounding their QB. Will Fuller V and Brandin Cooks will be the primary targets on the field and expect to lead Houston in receiving this season.

Defensively Houston has a huge hole to fill on the line after the departure of All Pro JJ Watt in the offseason. Lovie Smith will use a base 4-3 defense in an effort to effectively cover the field without Watt. Houston will rely on an extremely deep line backing core led by Christian Kirksey who was added to the roster in the offseason.