Moeller: Jaguars Need to Separate Themselves From Old Nemesis in London Sunday.
Even though the scenery has changed to London, Jacksonville will face a rival that has caused them plenty of frustration and anxiety over the years.
The Jaguars will tangle against the Houston Texans for a morning tea in Wembley Stadium.
These are the same 1-4 Texas, who picked up their first win last week against the winless Titans.
They are also the same 1-4 Texans who have been a severe thorn in the 4-1 Jaguars’ paws. Houston has been a true scourge overall, winning 32 of their 48 meetings.
Don’t be fooled by their 1-4 record. Houston will be hyped.
Can you say, trap game?
This is as perfect an example as any, especially with the Jags coming off their roller-coaster, last-second win over the Eagles week in London’s other stadium in Tottenham.
Yes, the Jags don’t have to look at the Texans twice. They are well aware how they have hunted and trapped the Jags over the years.
In other words, they have been the Jaguars’ biggest pain-in-the-you-know-what over the years.
These are the same Texans who were 3-5 on Nov. 5 last season when they trailed the then 5-3 Jaguars, 29-10, with 17 minutes left in the game.
When the smoke cleared in Texas, Houston came out of it with a 36-29 victory.
It was the fourth victory over the Jaguars in their last five meetings.
In fact, the Jaguars have lost six of their last seven meetings against the Texans in Jacksonville. They have lost seven of their last 10 meetings.
Houston dumped Jacksonville, 26-3, in Wembley in 2019 before the Trevor Lawrence era.
The Texans will unveil wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who they recently picked up from Arizona. He may be able to jump start the Texans’ offense, and he should form a good pair with Niko Collins, who has had his share of big plays against Jacksonville over the years.
Quarterback C. J. Stroud has thrown for 1,375 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions against the Jags in five previous career starts. He wasn’t under center in the Texans’ comeback last year. Stroud has 1,402 yards this season, fourth best among his peers.
This is a game where the Jags have to take care of business and take the Texans out of the game early. They should have the advantage of already being in London.
They take a tighter grip of the division, and deflate any momentum Houston may have.
But..like I said..it has the makings of a trap game.
Jacksonville is gaining more respect as a serious Super Bowl contender. Trevor Lawrence is regarded as one of the game’s elites as his position, and the defense is among the league’s best. Head coach Liam Coen can be a gunslinger, but he is among the league’s best offensive minds.
It’s time for the Jags to teach an old nemesis a lesson, and make the trip back across the pond without any frustration and anxiety.
