The Jacksonville Jaguars failed to answer the bell against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, looking more like a junior varsity squad in a 47-10 drubbing on national TV.
That game felt like a must-win for the Jaguars (0-3). Changes — and firings — could be coming should they have another no-show performance in Week 4 against the division rival Houston Texans.
To have any chance of beating C.J. Stroud and the Texans (2-1), Jacksonville will need season-saving performances from QB Trevor Lawrence — who’s now lost eight consecutive starts dating back to 2023 — and left tackle Cam Robinson, who was among the team’s most disappointing performers in the Bills game.
Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik will be licking his chops after watching how the Jaguars defense performed against Buffalo. It’s a patchwork group right now, especially after the team lost middle linebacker Foyesade Oluokun to a foot injury against the Bills. The Jags were already down No. 1 cornerback Tyson Campbell (hamstring) and starting safety Darnell Savage (quad) for that game.
On a short week, the Jaguars could be relying on reserves in the secondary against Houston. They’ll certainly need to generate more pressure on Stroud, after Josh Allen was barely touched on his way to scoring touchdowns on Buffalo’s first five possessions on Monday night.
Houston should come into this game focused after getting bullied by the Minnesota Vikings on the road in Week 3. Here’s how NFL experts are viewing Jaguars-Texans in Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff.
NFL picks, predictions Week 4: Jaguars at Texans
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Texans 24, Jaguars 20
Iyer: "Trevor Lawrence will work to get the Jaguars more competitive opposite C.J. Stroud, but beyond their running game, they have some issues with identity and injuries. Stroud should finally see a secondary against which he can involve all three top wide receivers to make up for concerns in the running game. Lawrence digs deep to keep his team in it, but Stroud has too much around him.”
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Texans 24, Jaguars 20
Bender: "The Jaguars are looking to spice up the AFC South race against the Texans, who got their Week 3 reality check. Houston could not run the ball without Joe Mixon (ankle), and C.J. Stroud struggled as a result. The Texans split with the Jaguars last season, but Stroud averaged 292 passing yards with four TDs and no interceptions in those games. The Jaguars will keep it competitive off a short week, but Houston gets right at home.”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Texans 21, Jaguars 17
Cluff: "The Texans were humbled by the Vikings in Week 3. C.J. Stroud and company will get back on track against the Jaguars in Week 4.”
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: Texans 27, Jaguars 17
Johnson: "The Jacksonville Jaguars offense is a rudderless ship that can’t do anything right. In Week 4, Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson face an aggressive Houston Texans defense that excels at generating pressure. So, even if Jacksonville’s defense can hold C.J. Stroud and Co. to a handful of touchdowns in Week 4, nothing we’ve seen this season suggests the Jaguars offense can keep pace, especially against Houston’s defense.”
MORE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS NEWS:
Jaguars Week 3 snap counts: Cam Robinson becoming a liability at left tackle
Trevor Lawrence contract details: Why Jaguars locked up QB to long-term, big guaranteed money deal
Jacksonville Jaguars land young pass rusher in proposed trade with Giants
