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Week 14 Preview: Texans at Jaguars
Houston Texans (6-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville- TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Brian Anderson, Adam Archuleta
*Keys to the game: Houston’s Ryan Fitzpatrick made a statement in his return to the starting quarterback role last week with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has a 109.4 passer rating (1,050 yards, 11 touchdowns, two INTs) in his past four games and with RB Arian Foster back, the Texans have far more muscle than the Jaguars. But Houston hasn’t put consecutive wins together since starting the season by beating Washington and Oakland.
Jaguars rookie QB Blake Bortles calls J.J. Watt of the Texans fun to watch, but getting a first-person account of the MVP candidate’s dominance might not be described as enjoyable. Bortles has enough size and mobility to move to throw within the pocket. Moving away from Watt is likely to be the order of the day. Watt has 48 quarterback hits this season and 11.5 sacks.
The Texans have forced a league-high 28 turnovers, including 15 interceptions. Bortles has thrown 15 interceptions. Third downs will be critical. The Jaguars are converting 34 percent into first downs, but only 10 of 38 in the past three games.
FRIDAY INJURY LIST
HOUSTON TEXANS
–Out: LB Jadeveon Clowney (knee), TE Garrett Graham (ankle)
–Questionable: S Danieal Manning (hamstring)
–Probable: T Tyson Clabo (foot), LB Brian Cushing (knee), TE Anthony Denham (illness), LB Akeem Dent (neck), RB Arian Foster (groin), RB Jonathan Grimes (ankle), CB Kareem Jackson (knee), WR Andre Johnson (not injury related), CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle), P Shane Lechler (biceps), T Derek Newton (knee), DT Ryan Pickett (back), LB Jeff Tarpinian (knee)
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
–Out: DE Andre Branch (groin), LB Khairi Fortt (hamstring)
–Questionable: LB LaRoy Reynolds (neck), WR Tommy Streeter (abdomen)
–Probable: QB Blake Bortles (right shoulder, ankle), DE Chris Clemons (knee), S Josh Evans (foot), LB Jeremiah George (ankle), RB Toby Gerhart (shoulder), DT Sen’Derrick Marks (foot)
*Matchup to watch – Jaguars CB Demetrius McCray vs. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins: McCray, in his second year, is developing quickly and the Giants threw to his side only once last week. The Texans could challenge him more with Hopkins emerging as a potential star.
*Player spotlight – Texans WR Andre Johnson: A matchup Johnson has enjoyed for years, he needs eight receptions to tie Marvin Harrison for the fastest in history (167 games) to reach 1,000 career receptions.
*Fast facts: The Texans are tied for the AFC lead with a plus-11 turnover margin. … Fitzpatrick is the only active quarterback and the 12th quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in a game for four different NFL teams.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Fitzpatrick isn’t likely to throw for six TDs again anytime soon, but if he can continue to avoid turnovers Houston can put enough points on the board to slowly squeeze the offensively-challenged Jaguars.
*Our pick: Texans 28-17
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