The Texans need a win in the worst way tomorrow against the Jaguars but they don’t match up well with them at all.  The Texans would be smart to come out passing against the Jaguars to try to get a quick lead on them and take them out of their running game on offense.  That will be easier said than done as the Texans have already allowed 8 sacks this season and Matt Schaub has thrown 5 interceptions this season.  Schaub will have to be careful when throwing the ball to WR Andre Johnson who will likely be covered all game long by Rashean Mathis.  With that in mind look for him to keep the passing game short and for him to use TE Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter a lot.  Rookie RB Steve Slaton will also get a lot of touches for the Texans and that’s a good thing for the Texans against a Jags’ defense that is allowing 108.7 yards rushing and 4.2 yards per carry this season.

The Jaguars have to be foaming at the mouth watching game film of the Texans’ run defense which is allowing 168.5 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry this season.  With that in mind look for the Texans to have to deal with a heavy dose of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.  Look for QB David Garrard to also have his best game of the season as he should be efficient throwing the ball against mostly single coverage as the Texans will go all out to stop the Jags’ running game.

PREDICTION:  JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 27, HOUSTON TEXANS 13

The Houston Texans are upset at the play of Matt Schaub so far this season.  He has started both games for the Texans this season and he has completed 42 of 70 passes (60%) for 390 yards with 1 TD pass and 5 interceptions (50.3 QB Rating).  He has also carried the football 5 times for 16 yards (3.2 ypc) with a TD run.  With Sage Rosenfels waiting in the wings Schaub better play well tomorrow against the Jaguars or he could be holding a clipboard next week when the Texans play the Colts.

The Texans really stunk it up against the Titans last Sunday.  Matt Schaub looked lost again in this game completing 17 of 37 passes for 188 yards with 0 TD passes and 3 interceptions (one was returned 99 yards for a TD by CB Cortland Finnegan).  Steve Slaton made his starting debut for the Texans and he was solid.  He carried the ball 18 times for 116 yards (6.4 ypc) with a TD run.  He also added 4 catches for 8 yards (2.0 avg) in this game.  TE Owen Daniels led the Texans in the passing game with 4 catches for 71 yards (17.8 avg).  The Texans finished up with 146 yards rushing on 28 carries (5.2 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 37 passes for 171 yards.

The defense wasn’t much better for the Texans in this game.  Linebacker DeMeco Ryans did his part in this game with 13 tackles and a fumble recovery.  S Will Demps and LB Zach Diles pitched in with 8 tackles apiece in this game.  The Titans finished up with 154 yards rushing on 36 carries (4.3 ypc) and they also completed 14 of 26 passes for 189 yards.  The Texans are now 0-2 on the season with this loss.

The Houston Texans’ fans hate the Tennessee Titans who used to be the Oilers so the team should be up for this game.  The Texans were swept last season but they were outscored 66-56 showing that the teams were pretty evenly matched.  The Texans would like to run the football to help set up the passing game but that’s not likely to work against the Titans’ defense which is only allowing 60.5 yards rushing per game and 2.7 ypc.  Still, rookie Steve Slaton will be making his first NFL start and he will do his best to make a good impression on the coaching staff.  The Titans’ defense already has 8 sacks and 4 interceptions in two games this season so Matt Schaub will have to be careful with the football.  Still, look for Schaub to attack the corners of the Titans with Andre Johnson and the safeties with TE Owen Daniels.

Look for the Titans to attack the Texans’ defense the same way the Steelers did in week #1.  They will run the ball with Chris Johnson (202 yards rushing, 5.9 ypc) and LenDale White (99 yards rushing, 2 TDs) against a porous run defense that allowed the Steelers to get 183 yards rushing against them.  After the running game is established, look for Kerry Collins to attack the Texans’ defense with play action passes to WR Justin Gage and TE Bo Scaife.

PREDICTION:  TENNESSEE TITANS 24, HOUSTON TEXANS 16

The game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans has been postponed due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ike.  It will be replayed on November 9th in Houston.  The Texans and Ravens both had officially had their byes moved up to this week and that’s too early but the Texans refused to play the game anywhere but Houston.