Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 13, 2016 STATS LLC Associated Press Nov 09, 2016 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien continues to emphasize the importance of creating more turnovers. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley is having many of the same conversations with his team. Entering the teams' first matchup of the season, the Texans and Jaguars are each eager to generate more takeaways on defense to support sputtering offenses as the race for the AFC South continues Sunday at EverBank Field. "The past two years, we've been pretty good," O'Brien said. "The first year, we were real good at it. Last year, the second half of the year, it picked up for us. ... This year, we are obviously behind the eight ball." Houston hit the midway point of the season 1 1/2 games ahead of Indianapolis and Tennessee in the division despite forcing just six turnovers (three interceptions and three fumble recoveries). Only Jacksonville's five takeaways (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries) are fewer this season. Unsurprisingly, each team is near the bottom of the league in turnover differential. The Texans (5-3) are tied for 29th at minus-7; the Jaguars (2-6) are last at minus-12. Houston's low total is uncharacteristic for a franchise that usually feasts on turnovers. The Texans led the league with 34 two years ago and still finished a respectable 12th with 25 last season. But the most glaring issue has been their inability to make plays on the road. The Texans are 0-3 this season away from Houston and have yet to cause a turnover in games against New England, Minnesota and Denver while totaling a minus-6 turnover differential. They are hopeful a trip to Jacksonville will change that. "In the past couple years that we've been here, we've been able to turn that around," said O'Brien, whose team has alternated wins and losses for the past six weeks, "because that stat right there points right toward the won/loss record." Jacksonville is experiencing the same problem right now. The defense was overhauled during the offseason and has performed mostly as expected aside from embarrassing blowout losses at San Diego and at Tennessee. But a stunning lack of takeaways has everyone perplexed. Jacksonville hasn't forced a turnover in 19 quarters going back to an interception of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck during a Week 4 game in London. That deficiency was made obvious during a 19-14 loss at Kansas City last week. The Jaguars had 15 more first downs and 218 more yards of offense than the Chiefs but were undone by four turnovers that led to their third straight loss. Jacksonville had a prime opportunity to snap their takeaway drought last week when a pass by Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles was overthrown and headed straight toward Jaguars cornerback Prince Amukamara. However, Amukamara collided with free safety Tashaun Gipson at the last second and the pass fell to the turf. That's how it has seemed to go for the Jaguars all season. "What you saw is probably the same feeling I had," Bradley said of the play. "We've got to have those. You have a chance to go back there and make a play and you get one thrown up to you, I don't know what to say on that one other than catch the ones thrown to you." Each team should enter Sunday relatively healthy. Jaguars defensive end Jared Odrick has missed the past two games with a foot injury, but is expected to play. Safety Tashaun Gipson (hamstring) and wide receiver Allen Hurns (concussion) are questionable. For Houston, wide receiver Jaelen Strong (ankle) and safety Lonnie Ballentine (groin/ankle/knee) are out, while nose tackle Vince Wilfork (groin), linebacker Brian Peters (quad), cornerback A.J. Bouye (ankle) and linebacker Brian Peters (quadriceps) are questionable. But the story of the game will be which team can create takeaways, and there could finally be some opportunities for each defense. Jacksonville quarterback Blakes Bortles is third in the league with 10 interceptions and Houston's Brock Osweiler has nine of his own. Behind their inconsistent play, the Jaguars are 28th in scoring (19.1 points per game). The Texans are 30th (17.1 points per game). That makes creating takeaways critically important for both teams. "I feel like they're going to come," Bouye said. "We haven't been getting as many as we wanted, but we just have to keep pounding and eventually they're going to come." I feel like the Jags might win this. I don't know what the means, but I've got a decent feeling about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 13, 2016 Ugh, Brock Osweiler is going to win again. 27 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 13, 2016 The Jags show signs of life. Could be a long day for Jalen Ramsey, but he will get enough good snaps in to make a difference. Texans - 17 Jags - 24 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 13, 2016 This season needs to end. https://vine.co/v/5IIXtYZmaVw 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 13, 2016 I'm with ya on that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 13, 2016 Brock Osweiler averaging less then 4 yards a pass is both incredible bad and impressive at the same time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted November 13, 2016 They are 6-3 right now, so they're going to go 1-6 over the last 7? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
