Jacksonville QB Making NFL Debut Against Texans

The Jags (1-6 SU, 2-5 ATS) hope rookie pivot Jake Luton will be the spark they need to snap a six-game losing streak when they host the struggling Texans (1-6, 1-6). Houston has won 11 of its last 13 games against its AFC South rival, including a 30-14 decision last month.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Houston is 6-2 SU and ATS in its last eight trips to Jacksonville, but this is the first time the Texans have been road favorites over the Jags since 2014. Houston was also 6.5-point chalk when it beat the Jags 30-14 last month in Houston.

Houston News & Notes

The Texans have had two weeks to regroup from a disheartening 35-20 loss to the Packers in Week 7. It wasn’t the most relaxing of bye weeks, however, as a positive COVID-19 test forced Houston to close the team facility. It’s also the Texans’ first bye week under Romeo Crennel, who is 1-2 SU and ATS since replacing Bill O’Brien as the team’s head coach.

Houston should be bolstered this week by the return of several key players from injury, including starting cornerback Bradley Roby and tight end Jordan Akins. Roby’s return could be a big boost for a defense that has allowed 77 points in its last two games and 30-plus in five of seven outings this season. However, Houston’s biggest issue defensively has been on the ground, where the team is allowing a league-high 177.5 rushing yards per game.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson might be the only Texan playing well these days, going into the bye with 1,003 passing yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions over his past three games.

Jacksonville News & Notes

Rookie Jake Luton will make his NFL debut at quarterback in place of Gardner Minshew, who has been declared inactive with a right thumb injury.

Luton threw 28 touchdowns and just three interceptions last year at Oregon State before being selected in the sixth round of this year’s NFL draft, and is getting the nod ahead of veteran backup Mike Glennon. “Not to take anything from Mike … but I just want to see where (Luton) is at,” Jags head coach Doug Marrone told ESPN.

Speaking of Marrone, you should expect the unexpected from the embattled coach. Marrone, who has lost 26 of his last 35 games, has told reporters he’s ready to do some “crazy stuff” over the last nine games of the season. In the Jaguars’ last game before the bye, Marrone attempted three two-point conversions and went for it on fourth down four times.

Marrone’s motivation to take some chances on offense is probably a reflection of how bad the Jags defense has been. Jacksonville is just the third team in NFL history to allow at least 30 points in six consecutive weeks, losing each of those games by an average of 12.2 points.

At least the bye week may have bought Jacksonville some time to address its defensive issues. Over the last 10 years, the Jags are 7-2-1 ATS following an extra week off to prepare.