Blake Bortles more than tripled his TD pass total from last season. (Getty)
At 3,300-to-one odds, it doesn’t look like the Colts will be making the playoffs this year. That means regardless of the outcome of today’s Jaguars–Texans matchup, the Texans will likely celebrate a division title in front of their home fans after the game.
Jacksonville has lost four of their last five, and have clinched their fifth straight losing season. But with Gus Bradley secure and Blake Bortles progressing, this is the firmest ground the Jaguars have stood on in a long time.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game:
Date: Sunday, January 3, 2015
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
TV Channel: The game is being locally broadcast on CBS. Click here to see if you fall within the coverage zone.
Line: Houston -6 via OddsShark
Live Stream: NFL.com; NFL Game Pass
Game Preview: The Colts are a longshot for the playoffs, but when they officially do start next week, it’s Houston who will be an underdog. They haven’t quite had the punching power of the Chiefs or Steelers lately, but have been playing the best defense of the Wild Card contenders. Houston was handled by the Chiefs at home on opening day, but narrowly defeated the Jets only six weeks ago.
If you look at the classic ingredients needed for a postseason run, the Texans check most of the boxes. They have a healthy defense, bolstered by perhaps the best four-man rush in the postseason. What’s missing is balance on offense, and that can happen if Brian Hoyer is kept safe. With his concussion history, the Texans will play it extra safe with Hoyer’s health moving forward. And if Brandon Weeden is going to lead the Texans next week, Houston might as well let the Colts go in their place.
For the Jaguars, there is a lot to be excited about. The offense could use an extra body up front, but is otherwise stacked at the skill positions. Next year Dante Fowler Jr. will return from injury, giving the Jaguars a dynamic pass rusher on the outside. Jacksonville should have a decent pick in the 2016 draft, and will make things very complicated in the AFC South next season.
