NFL Predictions: Houston Texans lay Smackdown on London Jaguars

Not long ago, the Houston Texans broke the conscience of the Texan faithful, a massive disappointment to start the regular season, and near franchise infamy. Now, following their first win of the season and a blockbuster trade that reunited QB CJ Stroud with collegiate teammate WR Marvin Harrison Jr., the Texans are the HOT again! Oh yes!

Furthermore, the Texans released an encouraging injury report Wednesday that detailed several players returning to action: S Ja’Marcus Ingram (limited), LB Henry To’oTo’o (limited), and WR Tank Dell (full), who could be close to returning to the field for the first time in nearly two years. S MJ Stewart and RT Braden Smith also returned to practice last week, meaning the Texans will be closer to full strength for their week six game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Texans are still missing a few key pieces coming into Sunday (RB David Montgomery and S Jalen Pitre), they will appreciate the added roster depth that joins them on the flight to the United Kingdom on Thursday, where they will face the Jags at Wembley Stadium in London at 8:30AM CST Sunday morning.

The Texans are currently listed as a 2.5-point underdog on FanDuel. Honestly, considering the Jaguars’ great start to the regular season, these odds paint a pretty good picture for Houston. The bookies expect this game to be close, and if any of the few Texans players returning from injury can contribute immediately, they might just upset the Jaguars’ “home away from home” in London. Although, despite the general optimism surrounding Houston’s offense, FanDuel still expects Houston’s first drive to end in a punt. That won’t stop me from putting out some high predictions on the Texans’ offense, though!

Prediction 1: Texans WR Marvin Harrison Jr. would have not one, but TWO touchdown receptions!

While the trade for Harrison was very exciting, the reality of it all left the Texans fanbase split. Some love this trade and think it will launch the Texans back into playoff contention, and others think it’s a waste of 2027 draft capital that won’t solve any of Houston’s most pressing issues. I’m still a little on the fence about the overall decision myself, but right now, I’m ALL for Marvin Harrison Jr. that lights up this Jaguars defense in the red zone. One of Harrison’s best attributes coming out of college was his ability to get separation in the endzone, using his footwork and length to find a way open at the perfect time for his quarterback. Texans QB CJ Stroud even touted Harrison’s abilities in the 2024 NFL Draft when he was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals:

“I tell you, [Harrison] like, doing this thing, where like…before the ball gets to him, he’ll like, move his body all of a sudden, and a dude will like…the DBs will go to his inner hip and he’ll shake. It’s like he can sense people behind him…My big challenge…is the offensive coordinator…just find some way to get him one-on-one. Find ways to show him his route running. And not even show it, but just dominate it.” – CJ Stroud

Something tells me that Stroud’s opinion of Harrison is just as high now as it was in this 2024 NFL Draft clip, and is currently hitting the table for Nick Caley to plan some one-on-one opportunities for Harrison Jr. for his debut with the Texans. The Jaguars will do their best to give Stroud muddy looks in coverage, but with three of their top four cornerbacks nursing injuries and listed as questionable on Thursday, I expect their defense to have a hard time covering a smart receiver like Harrison Jr.

Prediction 2: Anderson Jr. will have another three-sack game!

A few weeks ago, Battle Red Blog writer Mike Bullock predicted Will Anderson Jr. who will get three sacks on Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys in week four. Although that prediction didn’t come true on Sunday, it did the following week, so Mike could prove himself not wrong, but just ahead. Well, I’ll take a note from him, and I’m also predicting a three-sack performance from Will Anderson Jr.!

Anderson has firmly cemented himself as one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, but this year, he seems to be trespassing even more into rarefied territory. Five games into the season and he’s already recorded 7.5 sacks, 10 TFLs, 27 tackles, a forced fumble, a pass deflection, and a seemingly endless number of pressures. Some of his best work came late in last week’s Houston victory over the Tennessee Titans, where he recorded 3.0 sacks in the second half and nearly slammed the door on the Tennessee Titans as he kicked them down into the AFC South cellar. When he’s on, he’s truly a game-wrecking defender.

Anderson’s dominance alone isn’t why I expect him to have another great game, though. Another reason for my strong stance on him coming into this game in particular is because of the Jaguars situation at tackle. Starting LT Anton Harrison left the Jaguars game vs. Eagles on Sunday in the third quarter with a right knee injury, which will require arthroscopic knee surgery. While it’s not yet known if this surgery will be season-ending or not, it will definitely push Harrison out of the starting lineup this Sunday, meaning the Jaguars’ starting tackles will likely be Walker Little on the left side and Cole Van Lanen on the right side. Both players are still great tackles with plenty of recent starting experience with the Jaguars, so it won’t be an easy pick for Will Anderson, but that’s what makes his three sack game so impressive!

I think this will be the game where Anderson’s inner super saiyan comes out and just dominates the game from start to finish. He and DE Danielle Hunter combined for 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles on Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence in their last meeting – the impressive 36-29 comeback victory led by QB Davis Mills – and I expect both to do some damage this time around. Will Anderson is already the FanDuel betting favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year this season at +120, but another three-sack performance here would push him over 10 sacks and possibly into the MVP discussion.

Prediction 3: Texans 27, Jaguars 24

I’m a little nervous about this prediction considering Houston’s recent track record in one-score games, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict that the Texans will outlast the Jaguars by chewing up the clock on the final drive of the game and then by kicking a long game-winning field goal as time runs out, unlike the Jaguars’ final field kicker Cam Little of the Jacksonville Eagles. This time, though, the Jaguars will lose on a field goal, and they’ll have to suffer with Ka’imi Fairbairn talking about how much he loves England or soccer or whatever in Sunday’s postgame press conference.

And there you are! I think the Texans will get a monster game from newly acquired Marvin Harrison Jr. as the Jaguars continue to struggle to find consistency in their pass defense, Will Anderson Jr. will make some big plays in the backfield to prevent any chance of a Trevor Lawrence comeback, and Ka’imi Fairbairn will have a chance to ice the game away in front of a brutal British crowd. And the best part: I think the Texans will cover that 2.5 point spread! Give the Texans another win!

What do you think, though? Are my predictions a little too bullish on Marvin Harrison Jr. or Will Anderson Jr.? Do you think the Texans and CJ Stroud will build on the momentum from last week, or will they blow out the Jaguars and fall to a lowly 1-5? The last time the Texans played at Wembley stadium was in week nine of the 2019 season, when they beat the Jaguars 26-3. A dominant performance like this may not be on the cards for Sunday, but a dramatic, last-second victory is certain! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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