Jaguars vs. Texans: Week 12 Staff Predictions

Get your popcorn ready.

Week 12's battle between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans will go a long way in determining the leader in an unpredictable AFC South race. Two young franchise quarterbacks will go toe-to-toe, while two of the AFC's more consistent teams over the last several weeks will see how they stack up against each other.

So how does the Jaguar Report staff see Week 12? We break it down below.

John Shipley

Prediction: Like several games this year, I have gone back-and-forth on this one. The Jaguars' loss to the 49ers in Week 10 showed me that they still aren't quite there as a top team, so I am hesitant to pick them in games even where they are the better team on paper. And while I do think the Jaguars are a better overall team than Houston, despite their mistake-filled Week 3 loss, it is clear the Texans aren't going to roll over the way the Tennessee Titans did.

Still ... I think the Jaguars ultimately get their win in a revenge game. The Jaguars, for whatever reason, play better with their backs against the wall, and their backs are pinned firmly there this week. C.J. Stroud will get his, but the Jaguars will do just enough against a young Texans team that isn't as battle-tested.

Jaguars 27, Texans 24.

Daniel Griffis

Prediction: This should be a fun one, a battle to control the AFC south and a chance for redemption. The Texans dominated the Jaguars in the two teams’ initial contest; now the Jaguars will see if they can even the score. Both teams are in the midst of the playoff picture, boasting two of the league’s best young gunslingers. I think it’s the Jaguars defense and its knack for turnovers that ultimately wins them the game.

Jaguars 30, Texans 23.

Zach Schultz

Prediction: This is what we have all wanted for years. Big, meaningful games down the stretch. This game could very well decide the AFC South and I can’t wait. The Texans seem to be the darling team of the league but the Jaguars are still on top of the division and remain 1.5 point favorites.

Everyone wants respect for the Jags among the talking heads but the people who actually know what they’re talking about (Vegas) have the Jaguars winning this one on the road. I honestly don’t have too much to try and predict in this one other than my gut tells me we’re in store for a hell of a football game Sunday. Soak this one in, Jags fans. This is what we’ve been waiting so long for. Don’t take it for granted.

Jaguars 26, Texans 23.

Kyle Nash

Prediction: This game could represent a crossroads for the AFC South Championship. At the time of the first match up, it seemed like a huge upset when the Texans beat the Jags at EverBank Stadium. However, we’ve come to find out that Houston was way better than most expected while it’s clear that outing was easily Jacksonville’s worst day in 2023.

While a game like that makes it hard to evaluate both teams as they are neither as good nor bad as they were on that Sunday (I mean who would expect the Jags to give up a second kickoff return touchdown to a fullback, for example), I expect Jacksonville’s defensive Coordinator Mike Caldwell to take from other teams having recently faced Houston. Runaway Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate quarterback CJ Stroud to threw three interceptions against the Arizona Cardinals last week. I see the Jags in a close one.

Jaguars 30, Texans 23.

Evan Reier

Prediction: This is a tricky one. The Texans have always played the Jaguars tough and I don’t think the Jaguars win the game from Week 3 even without the Texans’ “fluke” plays.

Does this mean the Jags can’t win in Houston? No, especially considering their 4-0 away record. But it’s foolish to expect anything but a tough game with how CJ Stroud and the Texans defense has performed.

This game hinges on which Jaguars offense shows up. If Trevor Lawrence or Travis Etienne get going, this will be close and probably a Jaguars W. Away performances + last week’s get-right game makes me think that will happen.

Jaguars 21, Texans 20.