Texans-Jaguars: Three Keys to a Houston Victory

After last week's thrilling comeback victory against the hated Tennessee Titans, the Texans return home to play division rival Jacksonville this Sunday. The good guys are hoping to win two in a row.

The Jaguars are 0-2 and coming off of a bad beating at home against the Arizona Cardinals. The Texans have been very good at home in the past two-plus seasons. The Texans should coast to a 2-1 start, right? Not so fast, my friends, as Lee Corso would say.

Often, in division games, the records can be thrown out the window. Teams are familiar with each other as they play twice a season. Players have strong feelings toward the other team, as can be evidenced by last week's fight and general chippiness against the Titans. 

The game won't be as easy as the records would indicate. The Jags, always a physical team, are better than their record. The Texans have been inconsistent over their history, and this season is no different. After laying an egg at home in Week One against the Jets, the Texans outfought the Titans on the road last week.

The Texans won't be able to sleepwalk to a 2-1 start, but there are some keys to victory.

First, the Texans must stop Maurice Jones-Drew and Jacksonville's rushing attack. If they need to bring an eighth defender into the box, so be it. Challenge quarterback David Garrard and receivers Torry Holt and Mike Sims-Walker to beat the Texans through the air.

Jones-Drew is far and away the Jags' best and most dangerous offensive player. Hopefully the Texans learned a lesson from last week and the Chris Johnson show. 

Garrard is passing around 50 percent for the season (37-for-71). If the Texans stuff the run and force the Jags to become one dimensional, the Texans should be able to shut down the Jags' passing attack. There are no Reggie Waynes or Randy Mosses on the Jags. The Texans should be able to defend the passing attack.

A second key this Sunday is big plays. If the Texans can spring a long run or complete on a long pass or two, it can go along way toward a second victory in a row.

The Jags offense is built on pounding the ball, controlling the clock, and shortening the game. If Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson can duplicate last week's performance or if Steve Slaton can finally get going, the Texans should be able to defeat the Jags. 

This point mirrors the first key. If the Jags are unable to run the ball and are forced to pass in order to win, the Texans should be able to win going away.

Third, the Texans pass rush, led by Mario Williams, must make Jacksonville's tackles look like rookies. That should be easy to do because Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe are rookies. 

But, Williams, Conor Barwin, and Brian Cushing must pressure Garrard. If the Texans can force Garrard to dump the ball off or get rid of it before his receivers have run deep routes, the Texans should win.

What do you think? Any other keys to this week's matchup?