Jaguars vs. Texans NFL Week 2 Prediction
AFC South rivals clash in Houston this weekend when Gardner Minshew makes his first NFL start or the Jaguars, who visit the Texans at 1:00 p.m. ET. Will Minshew lead the Jags to an upset victory on the road?
Game Snapshot
273 Jacksonville Jaguars (+8.5) at 274 Houston Texans (-8.5); O/U 43
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Public Betting Trends
According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Texans are receiving 55% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.
Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Spin
Jaguars CB A.J. Bouye (hamstring) and LT Cam Robinson (knee) have been ruled out for the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Texans. Both Bouye and Robinson were listed on the injury report as questionable, but coach Doug Marrone has already ruled out both. Bouye’s absence is great news for Will Fuller, as Jalen Ramsey is expected to travel with DeAndre Hopkins. Robinson’s absence is bad news for an offensive line that will have its hands full with J.J. Watt.
Houston Texans Fantasy Spin
DeAndre Hopkins (ribs) is good to go for the Texans’ Week 2 matchup against the Jaguars. Hopkins was limited all week due to a ribs injury, but he’ll be a full go Sunday against Jalen Ramsey and company. Nuk hasn’t had a problem producing in Ramsey’s shadow over the years, posting 5-48-0, 8-87-0, 7-55-1, 4-80-1, 3-50-1 and most-recently 12-147-0 receiving lines in their six career matchups. Will Fuller is set up brilliantly on the other side of the field against a Jaguars defense that could be without No. 2 CB A.J. Bouye (hip, questionable).
NFL Betting Trends
Jacksonville
The Jaguars are just 7-16 against the spread in their last 23 games played in the month of September and are 2-6-2 against the number in their last 10 games versus conference opponents.
Houston
The Texans are 6-2-1 against the spread in their last nine games inside the AFC and are 8-3 against the number in their last 11 games when playing in the second week of the season.
Prediction
The road team and underdog have dominated this matchup in recent years, with the road squad posting an 11-4-1 ATS record in the last 16 meetings and the dog covering in nine of the last 13 matchups between the Jags and Texans. Jacksonville is also 5-2-1 against the number in its last eight trips to Houston. Even though the rookie Minshew making his first NFL start, this line looks inflated. Minshew played well last Sunday in spot duty after Nick Foles went down and while the Texans defense presents a much stiffer challenge this weekend, Houston is also coming off a shocking loss on MNF in New Orleans. If the Texans come out slow, I could see the Jags hanging with their AFC South counterparts throughout.
NFL Week 2 Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars +8.5