Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans Picks and Predictions September 21st 2025

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans September 21st 2025

The Houston Texans will travel to EverBank Stadium to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season. This AFC South showdown is set for Sunday, September 21, at 1:00 PM on CBS. Fans following the full slate of divisional action can dive deeper into matchups in our NFL Week 3 blog.

The Texans, under head coach DeMeco Ryans, are searching for their first win of the year after an 0-2 start. The Jaguars, led by head coach Liam Coen, sit at 1-1 and remain unbeaten at home. Historically, Houston has held the upper hand, winning the last two meetings, including a 23-20 battle at EverBank Stadium last December.

Texans vs Jaguars Key Information

• Sport: NFL
• Teams: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
• Venue: EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL USA
• Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
• Betting Odds: Texans +104, Jaguars -124

The Texans Can Win If…

The Houston Texans narrowly lost their last game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-19. C.J. Stroud led the team with 207 passing yards and one touchdown. Nick Chubb contributed with 43 rushing yards and a touchdown, showing a balanced offensive approach.

Despite the loss, the Texans have strengths that can help them win this game. Their defense ranked 4th in sacks and 2nd in interceptions last season. Danielle Hunter’s two sacks in the last game highlight their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

C.J. Stroud’s projected 247 passing yards and 1.3 touchdowns can lead the Texans’ offense. Nick Chubb is expected to add 66 rushing yards and 0.6 touchdowns. These performances can give the Texans the edge they need to secure a win.

The Jaguars Can Win If…

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a close game against the Cincinnati Bengals, where they lost 31-27. Trevor Lawrence had a solid performance with 271 passing yards and three touchdowns, despite two interceptions. Travis Etienne Jr. also contributed with 71 rushing yards, showcasing the team’s offensive potential.

Jacksonville’s rushing attack is a strong point, with Travis Etienne Jr. ranking second in the league with 214 rushing yards over two games. The Jaguars also excel in defense, with Travon Walker and Foyesade Oluokun both recording sacks in recent games. Their ability to pressure the quarterback could be key in this upcoming game.

Playing at home in EverBank Stadium gives the Jaguars a familiar setting, where they previously defeated the Carolina Panthers 26-10. In that game, they had 200 rushing yards, showing their ability to control the ground game. With key players like Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. leading the charge, the Jaguars have a good chance to secure a win.

Latest Betting Trends

• Houston has won seven straight games against Jacksonville, covering the spread in five of those meetings.
• The Texans are 0-2 this season but both losses came by six points or fewer.
• Jacksonville leads the NFL in takeaways (6) and interceptions (5) through two games.
• The Jaguars are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven AFC South contests.
• Houston ranks last in the league in scoring offense (14 PPG), while Jacksonville ranks first in rushing offense (169.5 YPG).
• The total has gone under in three of the last four meetings between these teams.

The Lean

The Texans are 1.5-point underdogs against the Jaguars. My model projects the Texans to win with a score of 23-20. Given the Texans’ strong ATS performance in recent games with totals under 42, taking the Texans +1.5 is the pick.

The total for the game is set at 44.5. My model projects a combined score of 43 points. The Texans have a trend of going over in games with lower totals, while the Jaguars have a recent trend of overs after wins. Thus, the over 44.5 is the recommendation.

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Texans Seeking First Win

The Houston Texans arrive in Jacksonville searching for their first win of the season. After dropping their opener at the Rams and falling to Tampa Bay at home in Week 2, Houston is 0-2 and already behind in the AFC South race.

Despite the slow start, the Texans have historically dominated this series, winning 12 of the last 14 meetings with the Jaguars, including seven straight. Head coach DeMeco Ryans believes his team is close to breaking through, noting the narrow margins of defeat in both games.

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Jaguars Looking to Bounce Back

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 1-1 after a tough late loss to Cincinnati last week. Despite forcing three interceptions, the defense couldn’t prevent a decisive 92-yard drive in the final minutes.

There are plenty of positives, however. Jacksonville leads the league in takeaways and interceptions, while its offense ranks fourth in total yards per game and first in rushing yards per game. Running back Travis Etienne is off to a hot start with 214 rushing yards, second in the NFL.

Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., a rookie expected to be a difference-maker, has struggled to find consistency, catching only five passes on 19 targets. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen confirmed the wideout has been dealing with a sore wrist but expects him to bounce back.

Stay updated with more NFL previews and weekly matchup breakdowns.

Texans’ Offensive Struggles

The biggest challenge for Houston has been its offense. Ranked 28th in yards and last in scoring at just 14 points per game, the unit has struggled under first-time coordinator Nick Caley.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, has managed 395 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. With Tank Dell on injured reserve and veterans Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios limited by hamstring injuries, Stroud has lacked reliable options in the passing game.

The Texans’ defense has played well enough to win, keeping both games within one score. If the offense can take a step forward, Houston could make this a competitive matchup. For betting insights, visit the NFL scores and odds page

Key Injuries

The Texans continue to battle injuries across the roster. Cornerback Jaylin Smith missed practice with a hamstring issue, while several others, including Jalen Pitre and Darrell Taylor, were limited.

For Jacksonville, offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland and tight end Hunter Long were sidelined with ankle injuries. The Jaguars also had several players limited, including running back Bhayshul Tuten.

Get the latest NFL game results and injury updates throughout the season.

What’s at Stake

This AFC South clash carries early-season significance. A Texans win could jumpstart their season, while a Jaguars victory would solidify their place at the top of the division chase. With Houston’s dominance in recent matchups and Jacksonville’s improved balance on both sides of the ball, this game has the makings of a hard-fought divisional battle.

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