Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen on the 2024 Texans Offense vs. last year: "It's expanded. Rookie quarterback and we played him early in the season, the first third of the season. So, you see the progression. They've done a phenomenal job with the QB. He's playing at a very high level. They've got good offensive line experience and then they're explosive at the wide outs…They've got explosive playmakers at all the positions, skill positions, good offensive line. The quarterback is distributing the ball, reads coverage very well. So, it's going to be a challenge."
Jaguars Defensive End Travon Walker on the Texans Offense: "They've got some players on the outside that can make some plays as well. A good running back. They have some great players."
Nielsen on Texans Running Back Joe Mixon: "He's one of the top backs in the league. We really respect him and his ability to run downhill and make guys miss."
Walker on Texans Quarterback C.J. Stroud: "He's been looking pretty good. That coaching staff over there, they're doing a great job with him. Working things around him."
Jaguars Quarterback Trevor Lawrence on the Texans Defense: "A lot of stuff's the same, but there's definitely some new wrinkles, some things that have changed. I'd say a little bit scheme-wise, nothing major, but some things have changed. Personnel changed a lot. They have a lot of new players, some really good players, some good additions to their team. So, they're flying around. It's the same thing that jumped out on tape last year, is this is a defense that plays really hard, flies around, makes a lot of plays where even if they're out-of-position, their effort and their motor to get to the ball really makes up for it. It's a tough defense to play against because they play hard every snap. They're very fundamentally sound, they're well-coached, but the effort there that each player brings to each position, that can overcome even when there are some mistakes or you get them, you scheme them up. That effort that they bring can cover up some of that stuff too."
Jaguars Offensive lineman Cam Robinson on the Texans Defense: "Good rushers, both on the outside. We're going to have our work cut out for us. Their interior guys are obviously great players too. It's a great defense."
Jaguars Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor on Texans Defensive Ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr.: "Obviously, you have to commit as many resources as possible to keep edges clean. When a team like this has both edges as dangerous threats in terms of pass rush potential, you have to pick your spots. Basically, when are you going to leave somebody one-on-one? How are you going to provide help? What are you going to look like for certain aspects of things?"
Taylor on Texans Defensive Ends Derek Barnett and Jerry Hughes: "Derek Barnett Jerry Hughes are great pass rushers behind them as well. I spent a lot of time with Derrick Barnett, watching him play. They obviously acquired him after we were done playing them last year, but he's a very good player as well. We have our hands full again, which is no different than the teams that have edges like this."
