With the Jacksonville Jaguars getting set to meet the Houston Texans in Week 6, Scott Barzilla of Battle Red Blog took a hard look at what’s gone wrong in Houston - and where the Texans still might have enough talent to make this one interesting.
The biggest flashpoint, of course, is the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade. Houston sent a second-round pick to bring Harrison in and reunite him with his college quarterback, but Barzilla didn’t sugarcoat how he feels about the move. With the Texans sitting at 1-4 and Harrison carrying a 53.5% career catch rate, he said the decision raises real questions about roster construction.
“No, I definitely question the move on multiple fronts. Even if we assume Harrison is the Harrison from OSU, then we’d have to question whether you are a WR away.
I’d argue that running back, offensive line, and linebacker are more pressing needs right now. I suppose the biggest hope is that Harrison was bad because Arizona was a horrible situation and not because he’s not as good as what was advertised.
I appreciate the urgency but I wish it had been applied at another position.”
Barzilla’s criticism didn’t stop there. He said Houston’s offensive problems are rooted in the scheme and the playcalling, not the roster.
He pointed to Juice Scruggs as an example, noting that the center was nearly cut before going on to become “the No. 1 graded center in football in Detroit.” On defense, though, he sees something different - not a system issue so much as missed chances by players in key spots.
“On defense, I think it’s more a player issue. There have been key moments in games where players made plays that just haven’t been made.
Kamari Lassiter is the biggest culprit there, dropping an easy INT in Week 1 that would have sealed the game. You change two or three plays and this is a 3-2 football team right now.”
Despite the uneven start, Barzilla still has some faith in the Texans’ overall profile. He said the offense “on paper is already good enough,” especially after scoring 25 or more points in three of five games.
The challenge has been syncing a good offensive showing with a strong defensive one. Week 5 was the first time that happened, and he believes the defense should stay solid even if injuries at linebacker keep it from getting back to its highest level.
“I think the defense will continue to be good but they’ve been bitten by the injury bug on their linebacking core and that hurts them in the middle of their defense. They will usually be good but might not ever get back to great.”
As for who Jaguars fans should keep an eye on Sunday, Barzilla mentioned a few names who could matter in different ways. Jaylin Noel and Kayshon Boutte both turned in their best games as Texans last week, while Harrison’s workload after the trade will be worth monitoring. He also pointed to Woody Marks as a possible target out of the backfield and said Jadeveon Clowney could be lurking for a big play, especially if Jacksonville spends too much attention on Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter.
“I have a hard time getting a feel for this game because it has been a while since we’ve traveled to London. The Jags are already there, which gives them a distinct advantage.
I like the Texans in this one but don’t love the Texans. I’ll say the Jags win a close one, 21-20, but that means a Texans cover.
In terms of player props I’ll say take the over on Nico Collins receiving yards. He’s averaged more than 80 yards in the games he has started this season.”
In Other News...
Jaguars Have A Discipline Problem Liam Coen Knows He Must Fix
The Jaguars left their game against the Eagles with the same kind of frustration that has been hanging around them for another week: too many flags, too much wasted time, and scoring chances slipping away. Multiple delay of game penalties short-circuited drives, and Jacksonville finished with 13 penalties in that game after also piling up 13 against the Bengals, a pattern that has become hard to ignore for a team trying to establish a cleaner identity.
Liam Coen took responsibility for the breakdowns and said the answer has to start with simplifying the play-calling process so the offense can get lined up and operate with more urgency. For a staff trying to build consistency, the issue is bigger than one messy afternoon. It is about whether the Jaguars can get the details right before the penalties begin to shape games for them. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Fans Have A Bigger Brian Thomas Jr. Concern Than Trade Buzz
Brian Thomas Jr. has become part of the trade chatter around Jacksonville, but the more immediate concern for the Jaguars is not what another team might offer. It is the quiet, underwhelming start to his sophomore season, which has left the young receiver in an unusual spot after what the team hoped would be a step forward.
Through five games, Thomas has just nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown, production that does not match the expectations surrounding a player the Jaguars still appear willing to build around. Even with outside interest floating around, Jacksonville has not signaled any desire to move him, leaving the bigger question focused on whether the breakout still comes in time for the season to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Hurts Finally Explained What Jaguars Fans Noticed In London
Jalen Hurts was dealing with more than the usual pregame buildup when the Eagles showed up in London, and the explanation helped clear up something Jaguars fans had already noticed from across the field. Hurts said he injured his calf in the Week 4 game against the Rams, which put a little more context behind the cautious way he managed the lead-up to Week 5.
His delayed arrival on the field was part of the plan, he said, with the goal of keeping the calf warm and giving it rest before kickoff. Even with the injury note on Philadelphias report, Hurts still participated fully in practice, which made the situation look more like a maintenance issue than a true limitation, though it was easy to see why anyone watching in London would wonder what was going on. [Read more 🡒]