Texans vs. Jaguars: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info, Game Time and More

The Houston Texans are set to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2 in what is sure to be an intriguing early-season AFC South clash.

Houston swept Jacksonville in 2011, but both games were close. The Texans only won by a touchdown in North Florida a year ago.

The Jaguars come into this weekend's matchup as nine-point underdogs, but boast elite talent at running back in Maurice Jones-Drew, who has had a game to adapt to the speed and physicality of the NFL after missing the preseason.

With kickoff on the horizon, here is everything you need to know about this Week 2 matchup.

Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL

When: Sunday, September 16 at 1 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS

Listen: KILT 100.3 FM (Houston), WOKV 106.5 FM (Jacksonville)

Live Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Line: Texans (-9), according to Covers.com.

What's At Stake?

Sunday's matchup between the Texans and Jaguars holds huge AFC South implications. Houston won the division last season at 10-6, and is the favorite to return to the top again in 2012. Meanwhile, Jacksonville can't afford to start out 0-2 and 0-1 in the division this fall.

If the Texans win, it would mean they're off to a fast start and once again looking like the class of the AFC South. On the other hand, if the Jaguars win, Jacksonville would move to the top of the division after two weeks and gain some confidence as the season progresses. 

Texans Injury Report

*According to CBSSports

LB Bryan Braman (Hamstring)

Jaguars Injury Report

*According to CBSSports

DB Derek Cox (Hamstring)

RB Rashad Jennings (Knee)

DL Austen Lane (Foot)

DL George Selvie (Knee)

LB Daryl Smith (Groin)

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Sleeper

Start 'Em: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB

With running back Rashad Jennings injuring his knee in Week 1, look for MJD to get plenty of carries against the Texans. Jones-Drew rushed for 77 yards on 19 attempts against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, and caught three passes for another 18 yards.

Sit 'Em: Kevin Walter, WR

With all of Matt Schaub's attention on Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels in the passing game, veteran Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter went unnoticed in Week 1, catching just two balls for 16 yards. If he's on your roster this week, you would be wise to keep him on your bench against Jacksonville. 

Sleeper: Cecil Shorts, WR

If you haven't heard of Cecil Shorts, you are not alone. The second-year Jaguars wide receiver had caught two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown for his career coming into Week 1 versus Minnesota. However, he finished with four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings.

What They're Saying

Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph isn't underestimating Jaguars rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon coming into Sunday's AFC South showdown (via The Houston Chronicle's Tania Ganguli):

"

A lot of things come at them fast. They happen so fast for a rookie. But once they have a chance to slow it down, you can kind of make more plays and be more comfortable. Once they’re able to do that, it’s just waking up and playing football. Just like riding a bicycle all over again. They’re in their comfort zone.

"

Joseph has five interceptions in 16 regular season appearances with Houston, and should be a tough matchup for Blackmon on Sunday. 

On the other side, Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey has confidence in his team's offense moving forward, as long as the group can eliminate the mistakes (via The Florida Times-Union's Ryan O'Halloran):

"I’d like to see how much better we are if we don’t have those mental errors, we don’t drop the balls we did and we don’t have a penalty to overcome."

Jacksonville had four penalties and one turnover in last Sunday's overtime loss to Minnesota. 

Texans Player to Watch

Houston's explosive wide receiver Andre Johnson is off to a fast start in 2012. He caught eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Johnson accounted for nearly half of quarterback Matt Schaub's completions last weekend and tallied two plays of 20 or more yards.

Although he missed nine games in 2011 because of injury, the 6'3" target is closing in on 10,000 career receiving yards this season. The Jaguars defense allowed 270 passing yards to the Vikings' Christian Ponder in Week 1, so look for Schaub to have no problems finding Johnson down the field. 

Jaguars Player to Watch

Second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert played an encouraging game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. Although the Jaguars lost in overtime, Gabbert avoided turning the ball over and even accounted for a pair of touchdowns.

The former Missouri signal-caller completed 23-of-39 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns when it was all said and done. His 96.1 quarterback rating is so far the best of any of his NFL starts. 

Key Matchup

The key matchup in Sunday's game in Jacksonville will be the Texans' ground attack versus the Jaguars' run stoppers. Jacksonville allowed 123 rushing yards to the Vikings in Week 1, while the Texans boast a dynamic runner in Arian Foster.

Foster scored two touchdowns in Week 1 against Miami, while Jacksonville let up two touchdowns to the Vikings' Adrian Peterson. If Foster can find a rhythm early on, it will be a long day for the Jaguars defense. 

On the Hot Seat

Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey is on the hot seat in Week 2. His team can ill-afford an 0-2 start to the season. Mularkey is just 14-19 in his career as an NFL head coach, and doesn't have the credentials to help him survive a poor start to the year. No one needs a win in Week 2 more than Mularkey's Jags. 

Prediction

The Texans have won three straight games against the Jaguars, and there's no reason for anyone to believe they won't make it four in a row on Sunday. Houston is the superior team, and has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations in 2012. In order for the Texans to take the next step and become a perennial AFC contender, they must take care of their business in the division versus weaker teams.

Texans 23, Jaguars 13

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