JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-7) vs. HOUSTON TEXANS (5-10) NFL Free Pick – Odds – Handicapping Preview
With Sunday Week 17 NFL football betting just a couple days away, Cappers Picks NFL handicappers have been hard at work putting out tons of other NFL betting info and NFL Predictions & Previews for those of us who can’t wait.
Week 17: Jaguars at Texans Matchup – Betting Lines
Date/Time: Sunday, January 2, 4:15 PM ET
Venue: Reliant Stadium, Houston Texas
Broadcast: CBS
Jaguars vs. Texans Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Odds: Houston -3
Total: 46
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Instead of talk of an AFC South rivalry of discussion about which team was unlucky to miss out on the playoffs this season, the talk of injuries and lame-duck coaches has dominated the headlines ahead of Sunday’s encounter between Jacksonville and Houston.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are still mathematically alive in the AFC South playoff picture but their 26th ranked passing game will be without David Gerrard because of a finger injury and the 4th ranked running game may be forced to play without Maurice Jones-Drew once again. That leaves Trent Edwards and Rashard Jennings to shoulder the load for the Jags – YUK!
The Swiss Cheese defense of Jacksonville is in for another strong test in the form of the Houston Texans. The Jags are 26th against the pass and 17th against the run. As always in Jacksonville, the offense is going to have to win this game – the defense sure as hell isn’t going to do it! 
The Houston Texans have almost nothing to play for. They will finish last in the division again and Coach Gary Kubiak will be mentioned as a replacement candidate again! Houston has lost an incredible eight straight games despite having two of the best offensive weapons in the NFL.
Matt Schaub will lead the 6th ranked passing game onto the field on Sunday. There is still no word on Andre Johnson’s availability but Jacoby Jones proved to be a quality option in Johnson’s absence. Houston’s 10th ranked running game should be motivated to get Arian Foster the rushing title. Did anyone see that one coming? Foster currently leads the NFL with 1436 yards on the ground.
Hey Houston – how ‘bout getting some defense! They will end the season with the worst pass defense in the league (currently 290.13 yards per game given up) and will possibly be a top 10 unit versus the run (currently 10th – 103.53 yards per game). The Houston defense has given up at least 20 points in 14 of their 15 games this season.
Betting Prediction:
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 5-13 SU in their last 18 games on the road but are 4-1 SU in their last five games against Houston. They are 2-5 SU in their last seven at Houston and are 2-6 ATS in their last eight trips to Reliant Stadium.
The Houston Texans are 1-8 SU in their last nine games and are 2-9 ATS in their last 11. Houston is 2-4 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last six games at home. They are 1-4 SU in their last five games against Jacksonville but are 5-2 SU in their last seven at home versus the Jags.
The Jaguars will certainly have the motivational edge in this game but without Gerrard and Jones-Drew, they are way behind in talent. Houston will score points and with the absence of two stars in the Jacksonville offense, I am not sure that they will be able to keep up. Jacksonville will fade away again – What else is new?
Pick: Houston Texans
