Things to Watch is adapted from a conversation between Voice of the Texans Marc Vandermeer and Sideline Analyst John Harris.
Jacksonville's Edge Rush
The Jaguars' pass rush duo of Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen presents a significant challenge for Houston's revamped offensive line. "Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, those guys on the edges," John Harris emphasized as a key concern. Walker, the former first overall pick, is beginning to fulfill his potential. "He's coming around, Johnny. He's coming around, kind of like Mario Williams," Marc Vandermeer noted, drawing comparisons to the former Texans star.
Third Down Execution
Houston's struggles on third down have been clear through two games. The Texans converted just 22.2% of their third-down attempts against Tampa Bay, prompting coach DeMeco Ryans to deliver a reality check: "We go two for nine on third down. What do we expect if we can't get the ball in at the goal line?" "When the Texans got in third down the other day against the Bucs, that opened up the blitz packages for Tampa Bay," Harris observed. "Our guys can't be running 15, 20 yards downfield when it's third and seven. Somebody's got to be working at the sticks."
Containing Travis Etienne Jr.
The Jaguars' dynamic running back has been exceptional early in the season. "Travis Etienne, you brought him up. Etienne's running the ball well over 200 combined yards in the first two games," Harris pointed out. Etienne's success on the ground could dictate the game's tempo and keep Trevor Lawrence comfortable in the pocket. "You better find a way to contain him and this running game," Harris warned, noting that stopping the run game could force Lawrence into mistakes.
Honorable Mentions
- Special Teams Impact: Field position battles may prove decisive in a potentially low-scoring affair
- Weather Conditions: Potential rain could impact the passing game and favor the ground attack
