Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars Spread
The Houston Texans (7-3) will be going after a fifth straight win when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) Sunday.
The Texans are currently listed as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 37.5.
The Texans, who are coming off a bye week, were last in action on Nov. 13 when they recorded a 37-9 road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Matt Schaub completed 11 of 15 passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the victory. Four of those completions, including one of the touchdown tosses, went to Arian Foster, who led the team with 102 receiving yards.
Foster also led the Texans in rushing with 84 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
The Jags are set to return home following a three-game stretch on the road that ended with a 14-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed 22 of 41 passes for 210 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Seven of those completions went to Marcedes Lewis, who led the team with 64 receiving yards.
Star running back Maurice Jones-Drew led the way on the ground with 87 yards and a score on 21 carries.
The Texans have used a balanced offensive attack to win four straight by at least 10 points. They might not be able to maintain their balance, however, now that Schaub is out with a foot injury that could cost him the rest of the season.
Schaub’s injury has opened the door for former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart to prove he can be a starter at this level. He should benefit from Houston’s second-ranked rushing attack (158.1 yards per game) and the likely return of star wideout Andre Johnson but figures to be tested by a Jacksonville defense that ranks third in the NFL with 300.2 yards allowed per game.
The Jaguars possess one of the best stop units in the league, but they have been let down by an offense that ranks last in the NFL with 249.5 yards per game. It’s unlikely the offense will be able to do much damage to a Houston defense that leads the league with 269.7 yards allowed per game.
The Texans held the Jags to just 174 yards of offense in a 24-14 victory on Oct. 30, 2011.
These two have split the last 18 meetings but the Texans have won the last two.
In regard to the point spread, the home team has been the play recently, going 3-0-1 against the number in the last four meetings.
As far as the total is concerned, the under deserves some consideration. The Jags have played to the under in nine of 10 games this season, and the Texans have come in under the total in seven of their 10 contests.
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