Jaguars’ Week 12: Revenge in Houston

After a rebound performance against the Titans in week 11, the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup features a showdown that could end up being for the division. A surprise playoff contender, the Houston Texans have come out of nowhere in 2023 in competing for the division.

There might be no more impactful playoff matchup than the Jaguars at the Texans in week 12. The Jaguars’ week 12 matchup is the most important one of the Jaguars season and could be the difference in whether the Jaguars get a home playoff game in the 2023 playoffs.

With such an important matchup, there are a couple of matchups within the game that need to be looked at further. The Jaguars’ offensive line will need to hold up, along with the Jaguars corners needing to subdue an ascending Texans receiver corps.

Jaguars’ Week 12: Two Matchups to Watch

Jaguars Offensive Tackles vs. Will Anderson Jr.

It’s been a constant in the Jaguars season, the concern with the offensive line. Anton Harrison has had his struggles against great pass rushers, and Cam Robinson in his return from suspension hasn’t played as well as many had hoped. The interior has also been struggling in 2023, with Luke Fortner and the revolving door at left guard having their ups and downs. Injuries and poor play have plagued the Jaguars offensive line in 2023.

For the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup, Will Anderson Jr. is the most important player on the Texans defense. It’s been apparent for the Jaguars in many weeks if the offensive line can hold up, the Jaguars offense can function. With the struggling offensive line, their play is in the spotlight against a great rookie pass rusher in Will Anderson Jr.

In the Jaguars’ week 11 game, Anton Harrison and Cam Robinson allowed three pressures each. Both players will have the chance to face Will Anderson, and his battery mate Jonathan Greenard, who is having an incredible season. Greenard has eight sacks, while Anderson has three. Something that happens to many of the great pass rushers, is the attention they bring opens up lanes for the other defensive linemen. Will Anderson isn’t just a problem on his own, he opens up pass-rush lanes for the other defensive linemen.

The matchup between Anton Harrison and Cam Robison against Will Anderson and Jonathan Greenard is the most important.

Jaguars Defensive Backs vs. Texans Receiving Corps

While the play of C.J. Stroud can’t be understated, the real surprise of the Houston Texans offense has been how great the receiving corps has been. Nico Collins, Noah Brown, Tank Dell, Robert Woods, and Dalton Schultz have been an incredible receiving room for C.J. Stroud to develop with.

The Jaguars corners and safeties will have their hands full with the Texans receiving corps, and this matchup is the most important one on the defensive side of the ball in the Jaguars’ week 12 game. Throughout the season, the Jaguars corners have faced their fair share of stellar wide receiving rooms. But the Texans receivers have beaten the Jaguars earlier in the year. So, the success of the Jaguars’ defensive backs is imperative to team success.

According to PFF, the Texans’ receivers have some high receiving grades. Noah Brown has an 86.4, Nico Collins has an 83.3, Tank Dell has an 82.3, Dalton Schultz has a 70.1, and Robert Woods has a 62.3 receiving grade. Fortunately for the Jaguars, Noah Brown won’t be an issue as Brown is out against the Jaguars. But the real issue is dealing with Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The route running ability, combined with blistering speed for Tank Dell makes covering him a nightmare. In the Jaguars’ first matchup against the Texans, Dell put together a great day.

Nico Collins isn’t someone the Jaguars can overlook either, as he’s a fantastic compliment to Tank Dell. The two top Texans receivers are different in size, yet both are incredibly challenging to cover. Dalton Schultz is also a challenging player to cover, as receiving threats at tight ends is hard to come by. The former Cowboys tight end has been instrumental in the recent success of the Houston Texans.

With the vast array of receiving options for C.J. Stroud, the Jaguars’ defense will be put to the task of limiting the impact of the receivers. The Jaguars’ week 12 matchup is a challenging one for two position groups that have been at the forefront of the Jaguars’ success and struggles.

Injury Reports

Jaguars’ Week 12 Injury Report

• CB Tyson Campbell (Hamstring) – OUT
• WR Zay Jones (Knee) – OUT/Questionable?
• DE Jeremiah Ledbetter (Not-Injury Related – Personal Matter) – No Designation
• DE Roy Robertson-Harris (Ankle) – Questionable

The list is shorter this week than many previous weeks, but there are still two notable players on the injured list for the Jaguars. The most intriguing one is Zay Jones. According to the Jaguars’ official website injury report, Zay Jones is listed as being out. However, many reporters have said that Jones is questionable for the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup. The status of Zay Jones for the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup is something to pay extra close attention to, especially since his healthy games have aligned with some of the Jaguars’ best offensive performances.

Another huge injury that has continued to plague the Jaguars, Tyson Campbell is going to miss another matchup. As described, the Texans have an incredibly dynamic receiving corps. So, having Campbell miss means that the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup is that much more difficult. Continuing to rely on Montaric Brown and Gregory Junior isn’t a place the Jaguars want to be. Both are solid backups, but when they’ve gotten starting opportunities, they’ve fallen short of expectations.

Texans’ Week 12 Injury Report

• DE Will Anderson Jr. (Knee) – No Designation
• WR Noah Brown (Knee) – OUT
• LB Jake Hansen (Hamstring) – OUT
• QB Case Keenum (Calf) – Questionable
• OT Laremy Tunsil (Knee) – No Designation
• S Jimmy Ward (Hamstring) – OUT
• OT Charlie Heck (Back) – No Designation
• RB Dameon Pierce (Ankle) – Questionable
• C Juice Scruggs (Hamstring) – Questionable
• LB Henry To’oTo’o (Concussion) – No Designation

A lengthier injury report than the Jaguars’ week 12 injury report, but only two notable players are missing for the Texans. The biggest miss is Noah Brown, as he’s been on a tear in recent weeks. Brown missed week 11 and will be out for the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup. In his absence, Robert Woods will see more usage. But the big two receiving threats are still in play for the Texans.

Jimmy Ward being ruled out isn’t as much of a surprise as Noah Brown, but the Texans missing their veteran leader in the secondary in a pivotal matchup is always something to monitor. The majority of the week 12 injury report are players that are expected to go or have designation.

Jaguars’ Week 12 Prediction

It’s the biggest game of the 2023 season for both the Jaguars and Texans, with the winner of the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup against the Texans in control of their destiny in winning the division.

In my preseason predictions article, I had the Jaguars losing this game after C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense got things clicking throughout the season. However, I didn’t have the Texans winning the first matchup. With the matchup effectively for control of the AFC South, there’s a lot on the line for both teams.

The last time I went against my prediction, it didn’t work out. But I believe that the Jaguars’ week 12 matchup will end with a Jaguars victory. Trevor Lawrence is coming off a great game, and the offense got back on track. While the Texans have a much better defense than the Titans, the Jaguars offense has begun to figure some things out after a slow start.

I predict the Jaguars will beat the Houston Texans, getting to 8-3, and sending the Texans to 6-5. A two-game lead for the Jaguars will give them a cushion in winning the division and set them up nicely to return to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.