3 factors to watch against the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Houston Texans are entering their last game of the regular season in Week 17 against the AFC South bottom dwellers, the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Houston Texans are entering this season at 10-5 and hoping to close out the season with a win against the 5-10 Jacksonville Jaguars. To put it into perspective the season prior the Texans were 2-13 while the Jaguars were 10-5 entering the last week of the regular season. Both teams have gone in different directions this season, but the Texans need to continue to gain momentum and close out the regular season with a win.

The Texans will be hosting the Jaguars at NRG Stadium and will need to win to secure home-field advantage in the first round playoffs and clinch the AFC South for the third time in five seasons since Bill O’Brien was hired as the head coach in 2014. The Texans will have an opportunity for a playoff bye with a win and with the help of the New York Jets defeating the New England Patriots.

The Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are breathing down the neck of the Texans with a record of 9-6, whichever team wins would not only be the Texans opponent if the playoffs, but they could also host the wildcard round if the Texans lose.

The coaching staff will have a lot of adjustments to do in Week 17 and ahead of the playoffs as injuries have forced the Texans to change their personnel. The final game of the regular season isn’t important simply due to playoff seeding, but it will be a rehearsal of how the Texans will operate once they get to the postseason.