The Houston Texans had been hoping that a Week 17 matchup with the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars could be a spot where they could rest their starters. Their loss at Philadelphia last week has thrown everything for a loop.
Houston is now the No. 3 seed in the AFC, has blown their shot at a bye and the No. 2 seed (unless New England loses at home as a two-touchdown favorite) and is at risk of falling to the No. 6 seed. Indianapolis and Tennessee square off on Sunday night, so one of those two teams will win. If Houston loses, that means they’ll fall all the way down to the six spot. The Texans are a big favorite but they better not mess around or they’ll have a really tough time in the playoffs.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
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Opening 24 Dec 5:48am | JAC | -8.5 -105 | O +40.5 -110 |
Closing 30 Dec 6:04pm | JAC | -7 -115 | O +39.5 -110 |
The Texans have feasted on teams with a losing record as they are 5-0 in that spot straight up and 3-1-1 ATS. However, it’s worth noting that this is not a team that finishes well. They are just 2-9-1 ATS in their last 13 December games. We’re seeing a lower total for this game and it’s worth noting that the Texans have had trouble in these types of games. They are 0-3 ATS this season in games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points.
As for the Jags, almost all of the trends are bad as they’ve been miserable this season. However, they have covered two straight visits to Houston.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are a really tough team to handicap these days. They went from shutting out the Colts to getting blown out at Tennessee to being embarrassed at home to the Josh Johnson-led Washington Redskins to winning at Miami, a team that was 6-1 at home on the season.
So what are we to expect this week?
It’s safe to say that the offence is pathetic right now. One of their touchdowns last week came on defence. They finished with just 118 yards passing and that was after benching Cody Kessler and going back to the much-maligned Blake Bortles. This team is missing four of five starters on their offensive line.
However, Houston’s offence can be handled. Deshaun Watson is balling right now but DeAndre Hopkins is the team’s main weapon. With Demariyus Thomas out and the running game producing a league-low 66 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks, the Jags defence can turn this into an ugly, low-scoring affair. That would give them a chance.
Houston Texans
There’s no question that the Texans have hit a bit of a wall the last three weeks. They lost at home to Indianapolis, then nearly lost at the New York Jets and then fell short at Philadelphia. If they’re sluggish again, they could wind up losing this game and in that nightmare scenario where they fall all the way down to No. 6.
The good news for Houston is that the Jags offence is a one-trick pony. If they can’t run the ball, Bortles will throw plenty of incompletions and interceptions. Houston is fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game allowed. That alone should put the Texans in great shape. The other key factor is that the Jags have not played well away from home this season. Specifically, the vaunted defence is allowing 60.8 more rushing yards on the road than at home and 11.0 more points per game in the away scenario. As long as Houston gets in front early and doesn’t give the Jags life, this should be a comfortable Texans win.
Weather

temp | 46 |
condition | light-rain |
wind | Northwest 6mph |
Injuries
Ronnie Harrison (S)
Jarrod Wilson (S)
Josh Lambo (K)
Leon Jacobs (LB)
Abry Jones (DT)
Cody Davis (S)
Matt Overton (LS)
A.J. Cann (OL)
Josh Walker (OL)
Ereck Flowers (T)
Gregory Howell Jr. (RB)
Brandon Dunn (NT)
Greg Mancz (C)
Mike Tyson (S)
DeAndre Carter (WR)
Trevor Daniel (P)
Justin Reid (S)
Kendall Lamm (T)
Kareem Jackson (CB)
Sammie Coates Jr. (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
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Ronnie Harrison (S) | I-R | Knee - 16 / 12 / 18 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Harrison is on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury. |
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Jarrod Wilson (S) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 16 / 12 / 18 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Wilson was lifted from the last game due to an ankle injury but is likely to be available for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins. |
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Josh Lambo (K) | I-R | Groin - 13 / 12 / 18 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Lambo is on injured reserve with a right groin injury. |
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Leon Jacobs (LB) | I-R | Quadricep - 06 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
Jacobs is on injured reserve with a quad injury. |
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Abry Jones (DT) | Ques Sun | Shin - 02 / 12 / 18 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
Jones sat out last game with a shin contusion and it is unknown if he will face the Redskins on Sunday. |
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Cody Davis (S) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 11 / 18 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
Davis is bothered by a hamstring injury and it has yet to be determined if he will be active Sunday against the Colts. |
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Matt Overton (LS) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 25 / 11 / 18 | 2-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Overton was lifted from the last game with a shoulder injury and his availability is clouded for Sunday's matchup against the Colts. |
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A.J. Cann (OL) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 15 / 11 / 18 | 2-3 | 3-4 | + - |
Cann was confined to a limited role in practice with a hamstring injury and it has yet to be determined if he will be on the field for Sunday's game against the Steelers. |
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Josh Walker (OL) | I-R | Ankle - 14 / 11 / 18 | 2-3 | 3-4 | + - |
Walker has been placed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury. |
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Ereck Flowers (T) | Ques Sun | Knee - 11 / 11 / 18 | 2-4 | 3-5 | + - |
Flowers left the previous game with a knee injury and his status Sunday against the Steelers is in question. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gregory Howell Jr. (RB) | Ques Sat | Hamstring - 01 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Howell Jr. is dealing with an injured hamstring and it is unclear if he will be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Colts. |
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Brandon Dunn (NT) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Dunn has missed the past two games with an ankle injury but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in the AFC wild-card round against the Colts. |
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Greg Mancz (C) | Ques Sun | Knee - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Mancz is hobbled by a knee injury and it has yet to be established if it will hinder his availability against the Eagles on Sunday. |
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Mike Tyson (S) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Tyson is going through the league-mandated concussion protocol and it is unknown if he will be cleared for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. |
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DeAndre Carter (WR) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 2-3 | + - |
Carter left the last game with a concussion but is expected to be cleared in time for Saturday's contest against the Jets. |
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Trevor Daniel (P) | Ques Sun | Hip - 05 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 2-3 | + - |
Danile is tending to a right hip injury and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against the Colts. |
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Justin Reid (S) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 2-3 | + - |
Joseph is bothered by injuries to his shoulder and wrist but it is not expected to impede his status for Sunday's game against the Colts. |
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Kendall Lamm (T) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 02 / 12 / 18 | 3-2 | 3-3 | + - |
Lamm was lifted from the last game with concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Colts. |
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Kareem Jackson (CB) | Ques Sun | Groin - 28 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 3-3 | + - |
Jackson is dealing with a groin injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Browns on Sunday. |
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Sammie Coates Jr. (WR) | Prob Mon | Illness - 24 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 4-3 | + - |
Coates Jr. is dealing with an illness but is likely to play Monday against the Titans. |
Jaguars vs. Texans Prediction
-
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
10 -
HOUSTON TEXANS
17
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 Dec 5:48am JAC -8.5 -105 O +40.5 -110 Closing 30 Dec 6:04pm JAC -7 -115 O +39.5 -110 -
Weather
temp 46 condition light-rain wind Northwest 6mph -
Injuries
Ronnie Harrison (S)
I-R Knee - 16 / 12 / 18Jarrod Wilson (S)
Prob Sun Ankle - 16 / 12 / 18Josh Lambo (K)
I-R Groin - 13 / 12 / 18Leon Jacobs (LB)
I-R Quadricep - 06 / 12 / 18Abry Jones (DT)
Ques Sun Shin - 02 / 12 / 18Cody Davis (S)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 28 / 11 / 18Matt Overton (LS)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 25 / 11 / 18A.J. Cann (OL)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 15 / 11 / 18Josh Walker (OL)
I-R Ankle - 14 / 11 / 18Ereck Flowers (T)
Ques Sun Knee - 11 / 11 / 18Gregory Howell Jr. (RB)
Ques Sat Hamstring - 01 / 01 / 19Brandon Dunn (NT)
Prob Sat Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18Greg Mancz (C)
Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 18Mike Tyson (S)
Ques Sun Concussion - 19 / 12 / 18DeAndre Carter (WR)
Prob Sat Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18Trevor Daniel (P)
Ques Sun Hip - 05 / 12 / 18Justin Reid (S)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18Kendall Lamm (T)
Prob Sun Concussion - 02 / 12 / 18Kareem Jackson (CB)
Ques Sun Groin - 28 / 11 / 18Sammie Coates Jr. (WR)
Prob Mon Illness - 24 / 11 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Ronnie Harrison (S) I-R Knee - 16 / 12 / 18 1-2 1-2 + - Harrison is on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury.
Jarrod Wilson (S) Prob Sun Ankle - 16 / 12 / 18 1-2 1-2 + - Wilson was lifted from the last game due to an ankle injury but is likely to be available for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins.
Josh Lambo (K) I-R Groin - 13 / 12 / 18 1-2 1-2 + - Lambo is on injured reserve with a right groin injury.
Leon Jacobs (LB) I-R Quadricep - 06 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Jacobs is on injured reserve with a quad injury.
Abry Jones (DT) Ques Sun Shin - 02 / 12 / 18 2-3 2-3 + - Jones sat out last game with a shin contusion and it is unknown if he will face the Redskins on Sunday.
Cody Davis (S) Ques Sun Hamstring - 28 / 11 / 18 2-3 2-3 + - Davis is bothered by a hamstring injury and it has yet to be determined if he will be active Sunday against the Colts.
Matt Overton (LS) Ques Sun Shoulder - 25 / 11 / 18 2-3 2-4 + - Overton was lifted from the last game with a shoulder injury and his availability is clouded for Sunday's matchup against the Colts.
A.J. Cann (OL) Ques Sun Hamstring - 15 / 11 / 18 2-3 3-4 + - Cann was confined to a limited role in practice with a hamstring injury and it has yet to be determined if he will be on the field for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Josh Walker (OL) I-R Ankle - 14 / 11 / 18 2-3 3-4 + - Walker has been placed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury.
Ereck Flowers (T) Ques Sun Knee - 11 / 11 / 18 2-4 3-5 + - Flowers left the previous game with a knee injury and his status Sunday against the Steelers is in question.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Gregory Howell Jr. (RB) Ques Sat Hamstring - 01 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Howell Jr. is dealing with an injured hamstring and it is unclear if he will be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Colts.
Brandon Dunn (NT) Prob Sat Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 2-1 + - Dunn has missed the past two games with an ankle injury but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in the AFC wild-card round against the Colts.
Greg Mancz (C) Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 2-1 + - Mancz is hobbled by a knee injury and it has yet to be established if it will hinder his availability against the Eagles on Sunday.
Mike Tyson (S) Ques Sun Concussion - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 2-1 + - Tyson is going through the league-mandated concussion protocol and it is unknown if he will be cleared for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
DeAndre Carter (WR) Prob Sat Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 2-2 2-3 + - Carter left the last game with a concussion but is expected to be cleared in time for Saturday's contest against the Jets.
Trevor Daniel (P) Ques Sun Hip - 05 / 12 / 18 2-2 2-3 + - Danile is tending to a right hip injury and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against the Colts.
Justin Reid (S) Prob Sun Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18 2-2 2-3 + - Joseph is bothered by injuries to his shoulder and wrist but it is not expected to impede his status for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Kendall Lamm (T) Prob Sun Concussion - 02 / 12 / 18 3-2 3-3 + - Lamm was lifted from the last game with concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Colts.
Kareem Jackson (CB) Ques Sun Groin - 28 / 11 / 18 3-2 3-3 + - Jackson is dealing with a groin injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Browns on Sunday.
Sammie Coates Jr. (WR) Prob Mon Illness - 24 / 11 / 18 3-3 4-3 + - Coates Jr. is dealing with an illness but is likely to play Monday against the Titans.