The Houston Texans are hosting the number 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars in an AFC South division matchup.
This will be an early test for the Texans as both of these teams are in full rebuild mode yet are still optimistic about how their respective teams can compete every Sunday. For Texans Head Coach, David Culley, this game provides Houston with a fantastic opportunity to give this roster some confidence to start the season.
Both of these Coaches are new NFL head coaches but the Texans have the experience factor with the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson is inactive, but Tyrod Taylor brings 11 years of NFL experience behind center for the red, white, and blue on Sunday.
This should be a fairly even contest between two franchises that are looking to start their seasons on the right foot heading into Week 2. Here are three bold predictions as the Houston Texans face the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at NRG Stadium in Houston.
#1. Tyrod Taylor will throw more TDs than INTs in Week 1.
Tyrod Taylor for his career has thrown 54 touchdowns while only throwing 20 interceptions. Many people believe that Taylor is not the right guy to help lead the Texans on the field but he may prove many doubters wrong on Sunday.
He has had very limited action in the preseason only having a showing of 12/18 passing for 81 total yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The yardage production could have been better in the preseason but it was imperative for the Texans that Taylor showed that he can manage and not turn over the football.
In his last three opening Week starts Tyrod Taylor has performed well enough to earn himself a winning record in those contests in 2017, 2018, and 2020. In those three games, he tossed 2 TDs and 1 INT, 1 TD, and 1 INT, and 0 TD and 0 INT respectively earning a record of 2-0-1 in those contests.
Look for Tyrod to use his experience to help manage the football and throw more touchdowns than interceptions against the Jaguars defense.
#2. Mark Ingram will be the Texans leading rusher in Week 1.
The newly signed running back from Baltimore was brought in to do one thing, pound the football. Throughout this preseason, Ingram has done that, combining for a total of 18 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown.
Head Coach David Culley and Offensive Coordinator Tim Kelly have clearly shown their confidence in using Ingram in the running game. He is a veteran running back and with the help of Phillip Lindsay in the backfield, it gives Ingram the much-needed rest for when he is on the field to run.
It is a crowded running back room for the Texans, but Mark Ingram is the leader both on and off the field. Keep an eye out for Ingram as he racks up the most on-field production of the running backs for the Houston Texans against the Jaguars in Week 1.
#3. The Houston Texans will beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Overall, this game will be too close for comfort for fans as the chance for wins won’t come very often in the 2021 season. Week 1 football always brings mistakes, miscommunication, penalties, and unforeseen outcomes. That is why the experience that the Houston Texans have on both sides of the ball will help propel them to victory at NRG Stadium.
The newly signed players for the Houston Texans will outshine the young draft picks for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the NFL, experience is crucial to a team’s success and that will ultimately show as the game progresses on Sunday.