JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Houston and Jacksonville have this a lot in frequent by two weeks: neither is thrilled with its offense.
The Texans (0-2) have scored 29 factors, which ranks twenty ninth within the league and is barely higher than tied-for-last Carolina, Cincinnati and Las Vegas. The Jaguars (1-1) are coming off a nine-point displaying of their house opener towards Kansas Metropolis and are final within the league in third-down conversions (25%).
Each groups will likely be on the lookout for higher outcomes after they meet Sunday in Jacksonville.
“It’s simply remembering who we’re,” Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk stated. “One dangerous sport doesn’t outline us. Clearly it’s irritating. … It simply goes again to us form of being a bit of out of character and simply urgent and making an attempt to make performs that weren’t there.”
Jacksonville, the defending AFC South champion, entered the season optimistic it will common 30 factors a sport after returning 9 offensive starters, including standout receiver Calvin Ridley and being within the second yr of coach Doug Pederson’s offense.
However the Jaguars scored 17 within the opener at Indianapolis earlier than rallying with two touchdowns within the ultimate six minutes, the second coming after a turnover. They usually had been fully out of types towards the Chiefs, struggling to run the ball and unable to guard quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
“Simply make the performs, make the blocks, make the catches,” Ridley stated. “Simply do what we do, truthfully. We received what we want. We simply have to execute higher.”
Houston might say the identical.
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second total decide, threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns towards the Colts final Sunday. However Stroud was sacked six occasions, injured his throwing shoulder and misplaced one among his two fumbles. Including to the workforce’s offensive woes, the bottom sport was stagnant as Dameon Pierce managed 31 yards on 15 carries.
Stroud has been sacked an NFL-high 11 occasions already whereas taking part in behind a line decimated by accidents. Houston misplaced 4 beginning offensive linemen to accidents in camp and performed with out three-time Professional Bowl left sort out Laremy Tunsil (knee) final week.
“It’s all in regards to the safety,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans stated. “We’ve had good safety at occasions, and it’s not solely our offensive line. It’s the backs. It’s the tight ends. It’s the quarterback. It’s the receivers. Safety entails all 11.
“We don’t need to see our quarterback get hit, however we are able to make sensible selections all throughout the board with all 11 guys.”
Tunsil returned to apply in a restricted capability Wednesday and may be capable of go Sunday. Stroud, in the meantime, had “no points” along with his shoulder in apply.
“I really feel blessed. I really feel good,” Stroud stated. “Soccer is a bodily sport and that’s what I signed up for, however my physique is ok. I’ll be all proper. After Week 1, you form of simply get used to getting hit and the rehab that goes into that Monday, Tuesday, getting your physique again for Wednesday and so forth so you possibly can apply nicely.”
OVERSHADOWED DEFENSE
Jacksonville’s protection would in all probability be the speak of the city had the Jaguars crushed Kansas Metropolis. The unit held Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in examine a lot of the sport and surrendered 17 factors to the defending Tremendous Bowl champion. The protection was equally spectacular in Week 1, giving up 14 factors to the Colts.
“We’re doing what we have to do to win each sport,” linebacker Josh Allen stated. “We all know what we are able to do, however we need to put it on a divisional opponent.”
LOPSIDED RIVALRY
Jacksonville ended a nine-game dropping streak to Houston in January. Nonetheless, the Texans have received 15 of the previous 18 conferences and 20 of the previous 25, a staggering stretch of lopsidedness contemplating the NFL’s penchant for parity.
METCHIE’S WORK
Houston WR John Metchie III made his NFL debut final week after lacking his whole rookie season whereas present process remedy for leukemia and sitting out of the opener with a hamstring harm.
He was in on about 15% of the offensive snaps towards the Colts and caught one cross for 17 yards. The Texans will look to get him extra concerned because the season progresses, however Ryans stated it will likely be a course of.
“It was an incredible feeling to lastly be again on the sphere taking part in the sport I really like,” Metchie stated. “However I simply really feel like I’m a winner so on the finish of the day I’m all about wins and losses and I’d fairly be successful.”
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