Free Week 1 Prediction: Jaguars vs. Texans NFL Odds
Looking for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans free NFL Week 1 picks & NFL odds? NFL betting sees the Jaguars taking on the Texans on Sunday September 12th at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NFL season long including all NFL Week 1 games so stay tuned for more FREE NFL predictions like this Jacksonville Houston matchup.
NFL Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
(0-0) Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans (0-0)
Date: Sunday, September 12th, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
NFL Week 1 ATS Betting Lines: Jaguars -3
NFL Week 1 Moneyline Odds: Jaguars -145 | Texans +125
NFL Week 1 NFL Betting Total: 44.5
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All eyes are on #1 pick Trevor Lawrence as well as Urban Meyer’s NFL debut as the Jaguars visit the Texans as -3 point favorites on Sunday. Jacksonville may seem like strange favorites after a 1-15 campaign in 2020, but Houston is expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this season.
If Houston had Deshaun Watson maybe this game would play out a bit different, but he’s got his own issues to sort out meaning Tyrod Taylor gets the nod on opening day. Taylor has a lot to prove, losing his job last year after a Chargers trainer punctured his lung opening the door for the Justin Herbert era.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has finished last in the AFC South in 4 of the last 5 years, but at least last year that was fruitful as it allowed them to pick Lawrence. The former Clemson QB is said to be the best prospect since Andrew Luck, but will surely have some growing pains especially in week one.
Meyer must also learn on the fly as he adjusts to the NFL game. Meyer won 2 national championships in college and also never experienced a losing record in his 17 years on the sidelines between Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State.
The good news for Lawrence is that he has plenty of targets with a couple 2nd round WRs in DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault, Jr. The team also brought in Marvin Jones who had 978 yards and 9 TD with Detroit last season. Plus, Houston no longer has JJ Watt to terrorize opposing backfields.
There are two things working against Jacksonville on Sunday, the first that they are going to be a very trendy pick at -3 which is scary for the season opener. The other is that the Jaguars defense is atrocious, ranking 2nd to last in the NFL last season in total yards and points allowed.
Houston Texans
What once was Houston’s biggest strength is now their highest area of concern, as Deshaun Watson is facing civil suits for misconduct from 22 women which has put his playing status in limbo. Enter Tyrod Taylor, who has talent but is also 32 and has only started one game in the last two seasons.
Also just like Jacksonville, Houston is breaking in a new head coach as David Culley takes over the team. At least Meyer has head coaching experience, but Sunday marks Culley’s first time being the main man on the sidelines in any capacity.
The Texans will miss the leadership of Watt, and also need to replace over 1,700 receiving yards with the losses of Will Fuller, Randal Cobb, and KeKe Coutee. The Jacksonville defense can be exploited – but by this offense?
The Jags had a bad defense last year – but Houston wasn’t much better. In fact the Texans were the worst team in the NFL against the run, last with just 10 takeaways, and ranked 30th in allowing 416.8 yards per game.
NFL Betting Trends:
- Jaguars are 3-7 ATS last 10 vs. AFC
- Jaguars are 2-7 ATS last 9 as a favorite
- Road team is 13-6-1 ATS last 20 head to head meetings
- Texans are 0-4 ATS last 4 in September
- Underdog is 12-5 ATS last 17 head to head meetings
4* Free Week 1 NFL Betting Prediction: Jaguars -3
The fact that Meyer is making his NFL debut is cancelled out by Culley doing the same on the other sidelines. There’s almost no better team for Lawrence to make his first start against than the Texans, who will give up a chunk of yards on the ground.
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