by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Monday, Dec 13, 2021
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, December 19, 2021
Venue: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Texans +3, Jaguars -3; Over/Under: 41 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Texans +3, Jaguars -3; Over/Under: 41 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Texans +3, Jaguars -3; Over/Under: 40.5 points
Season Record
Houston Texans: 2-11 (3rd place, AFC South)
Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-11 (4th place, AFC South)
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Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
Houston Texans: lost at home on Dec. 12 against the Seattle Seahawks 33-13.
Jacksonville Jaguars: lost on the road on Dec. 12 against the Tennessee Titans 20-0.
Houston Texans Analysis
The Texans are coming into this game with a 2-11 record overall and they are 1-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. This will be their 5th divisional matchup of the year and they are currently 2-2 in their division games this season but it really does not even matter as they have already been officially eliminated from playoff contention. They have also beaten the Jags earlier this season already in their season opener. Their last win was against the Tennessee Titans but they have gone on a 3 game losing streak since then with losses coming against the New York Jets, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Seattle Seahawks in their last game. Quarterback Davis Mills completed 33/49 passes for 331 yards and 1 touchdown in that one. Rex Burkhead led the team in rushing with 40 yards on 11 carries. Brandin Cooks had a nice day as he led the receivers with 101 yards on 8 receptions while Brevin Jordan caught the lone touchdown pass in that one. Christian Kirksey led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 5 assisted ones. No one on the defense was able to record a sack or come up with an interception in that game. They have scored 164 points in their 13 games this season averaging 12.6 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 323 points against them allowing 24.8 PPG. Their offense is averaging 234.9 YPG while their defense is allowing 349.8 YPG.
Jacksonville Jaguars Analysis
The Jaguars are coming into this game with a 2-11 record overall and they are 2-5 in their home games this season where they will be in this game, with 1 of those "home" wins actually coming across the pond in London. This will be the 5th divisional matchup on their schedule this year and they are currently 0-4 in their division games this season but it really does not matter either because they have already been eliminated from playoff contention this season. Their last win was against the Buffalo Bills but they have gone on a 5 game losing streak since then with losses coming against the Indianapolis Colts, the San Francisco 49ers, the Atlanta Falcons, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Tennessee Titans in their last game. Trevor Lawrence completed 24/40 passes for 221 yards and 4 interceptions in that one. James Robinson led the team in rushing with 4 yards on 6 carries. Marvin Jones led the receivers with 70 yards on 6 receptions while Laquon Treadwell had 68 yards on 4 receptions. Damien Wilson and Myles Jack both led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 4 assisted ones each. Wilson along with Roy Robertson-Harris, Dawuane Smoot, and Jihad Ward all recorded the only sacks in that game with 1 each while no one on the defense came up with any interceptions in that one. They have scored 180 points in their 13 games this season averaging 13.8 PPG and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 320 points against them allowing 24.6 PPG. Their offense is averaging 288.3 YPG while their defense is allowing 337 YPG.
Texans vs Jaguars Prediction
The Texans are coming into this game as a 3 point underdog with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Jaguars have been a complete mess this season in every facet from Trevor Lawrence and the offense all the way to Urban Meyer and the way he conducts himself off the field and in the facility. They are coming off of a game where they were just shut out and their season cannot get any lower than this. Or can it? Now the Texans roll into town and they already have a win over the Jags in their first game of the season. The Texans have been just as bad this season but they have at least been scoring points in their recent games. Both of these teams are really bad. It is hard to see either of them scoring any points at all let alone pull away with a lead. The best bet is to take the points in this game as it will likely be decided by a field goal and on the under as it will be a very low scoring game between two garbage teams.
Texans Jaguars Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, December 19, 2021 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Texans 13 Jaguars 10.
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NFL Betting Trends
Houston Texans: 4-7 O/U in games where the line is +3 to -3. 4-8 O/U in all games. 4-7 O/U as an underdog. 1-5 O/U as a road underdog. 1-5 O/U in road games. 3-6 O/U against conference opponents. 31-54 O/U in December games. 7-14 O/U in the second half of the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-8 O/U in games where the line is +3 to -3. 2-10 O/U in all games. 1-5 O/U in home games. 2-6 O/U in games played on a grass field. 1-7 O/U after the first month of the season. 8-14 O/U in the second half of the season.
Key Injuries
Houston Texans: K. Grugier-Hill (LB) day-to-day - Knee injury. D. King II (DB) day-to-day - Head injury. J. Reid (DB) day-to-day - Concussion.
Jacksonville Jaguars: J. Smith (DE) day-to-day - Illness. B. Linder (OL) day-to-day - Back injury. D. Arnold (TE) Mid Jan - Knee injury.
Notable Quotes
"He took care of the ball. That's what he's supposed to do. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the ball in the end zone in the second half, and that's what we have to do better. Not just him, but our entire offense has to be able to do that." - David Culley on his team’s loss against the Seahawks in their last game.
"Losing sucks. That's all I can tell you. It eats at away at your soul. You got to regroup." - Head coach Urban Meyer on his team’s loss against the Titans in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Houston Texans
WR Cooks, Brandin
WR Collins, Nico
TE Brown, Pharaoh
QB Mills, Davis
RB JOHNSON, DAVID
RB BURKHEAD, REX
Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Treadwell, Laquon
WR JONES, MARVIN
WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
TE Manhertz, Chris
TE O'Shaughnessy, James
QB Lawrence, Trevor
RB Robinson, James
Statistical Leaders
Houston Texans
Passing: D. Mills (1737)
Rushing: D. Johnson (176)
Receiving: B. Cooks (843)
Touchdowns: B. Cooks (3)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Passing: T. Lawrence (2735)
Rushing: J. Robinson (682)
Receiving: M. Jones Jr. (610)
Touchdowns: J. Robinson (7)
Coaches:
Houston Texans: David Culley (1st season)
Jacksonville Jaguars: Urban Meyer (1st season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
