Another divisional rivalry game awaits us in Week 5 of the NFL on Sunday, October 9, and here you can get the best Texans vs. Jaguars betting pick and odds.

Houston is hoping to get the first win of the season when they visit Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Field. The Jaguars are 7-point favorites on Bovada Sportsbook, while the total is set at 43.5 points. These AFC South foes have met twice in 2021, and the Texans won both games.

Texans couldn’t stop the Chargers’ strong offense

The Houston Texans (0-3-1, 2-1-1 ATS) are still the only team in the NFL without a win after the opening four games. This time around, the Texans lost 34-24 to the Los Angeles Chargers at home, which is their highest-scoring game of the campaign. The hosts trailed from the first quarter and even though they cut a deficit to only three points midway through the fourth, the Chargers scored another TD and secured a W.

Davis Mills completed 26 of 35 passes for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Brandin Cooks and Rex Burkhead caught those TD passes, while Nico Collins led the team with 82 yards on three receptions. Dameon Pierce was a monster on the ground and led all the runners with 131 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Defensively, Steven Nelson, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Jalen Pitre registered seven tackles each.

DE Mario Addison (thigh) is out indefinitely, while LB Blake Cashman (concussion), DE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), TE Brevin Jordan (ankle), and WR Chris Moore (hip) are questionable to play on Sunday against Jacksonville.

Jaguars lost to the Eagles on Doug Pederson’s return to Philly

The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2, 2-2 ATS) couldn’t record a third win in a row after beating the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers. Doug Pederson’s return to Philadelphia, where he won the Super Bowl, wasn’t successful as his team lost 29-21. The Jags had a 14-0 lead after the opening quarter, but the Eagles took over since and controlled the game. Jacksonville was inferior in total yards (219-401), first downs (13-25), and possession (20:09-39:51), while the Jaguars committed even five turnovers opposite Philadelphia’s one.

Andre Cisco returned that lone Philly turnover (interception) for a touchdown. Trevor Lawrence completed 11 of 23 passes for 174 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Jamal Agnew caught both TD passes, while Christian Kirk led the team in receiving yards with 60 on two receptions. The run offense wasn’t particularly good as the Jags had 71 yards on 19 attempts. Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd were fantastic on defense as they combined for even 30 tackles.

DT Folorunso Fatukasi was removed from the previous game due to a quad issue, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Texans on Sunday.

Trends:

Houston:

  • 9-19-1 ATS in the last 29 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game
  • 3-9 ATS in the last 12 games in October

Jacksonville:

N/A

Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Pick  

It’s obvious that Doug Pederson brought new energy and improved this Jacksonville squad, and I’d be seriously surprised if they fail to beat Houston on Sunday. The Jags have the sixth-best offense (26.3 ppg) and the fourth-best defense which allows 16.8 ppg, so I doubt the Texans, who score 18.3 ppg, will be able to hurt the hosts in this one. Jacksonville shut the Colts out in their only home game so far, and although it will be hard to do that again on Sunday, I expect the Jags’ D to dominate their divisional foes.

Pick: Take the Jaguars at -6.5 (-125)

The Total

Houston’s inefficient offense and Jacksonville’s sturdy defense are a great combination for the Under bet. The AFC South cannot brag about offensive-minded teams, and I like to bet on Under when the divisional rivals are facing each other. Under is 7-2 in the Texans’ last nine road games; Under is 6-1 in the Jaguars’ previous seven home games, while Under is 4-1 in Jacksonville’s last five vs. AFC South opponents. I don’t believe in the qualities of Davis Mills and Trevor Lawrence, so I don’t think they will combine for more than three passing touchdowns.

Pick: Go Under 43.5 points (-110)