Texans vs. Jaguars 2013, Week 14: Jacksonville picks up third straight win

Jones-Drew was doubled over in pain on the field after being tackled, but was able to walk off the field under his own power. He seemed cheerful speaking with the NFL Network crew after the win. There is no word yet on his status for Week 15 and beyond.

Jones-Drew is in the midst of a rough season with the Jaguars. Through 13 games, he is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, which is well below his previous career low of 4.2 YPC set in 2008. Jones-Drew is in the final year of the five-year contract he signed in 2009, and struggles this season could have him looking for a new home when the 2014 free agency period begins.

The Jags, on the other hand, have suddenly won four of their last five after a 0-8 start. While they likely played themselves out of the top drat pick on Thursday night, the improvement has to be a promising sight for fans. Adam Stites at Big Cat Country likes what he sees, but acknowledges the win was more about the ineptitude of the Texans.

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On second-and-10, he threw the ball into the waiting arms of the Jags’ Geno Hayes. The interception was Schaub’s 10th of the season.

The same night that Keenum and Schaub struggled, Bridgewater did this against Cincinnati:

Life was good in Jacksonville, and head coach Gus Bradley was happy.

Undisciplined play mired the Texans in the first half, finishing with over 100 yards in total penalties.

Jones-Drew ran for a first down with over ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and immediately looked pained following the tackle. He was able to leave the field under his own power, but after two plays of being looked at by team trainers Jones-Drew left the field for further evaluation.

Jones-Drew was having his best game of the season prior to the injury, running the ball 14 times for 103 yards. He is in the final year of his contract.

Jacksonville held a 14-point lead when the switch was made, and Schaub quickly got Houston back in the game. He completed six of his first seven passes, including a touchdown to narrow the lead and give the Texans a chance. Fans in Houston already dislike Schaub -- if he costs the Texans the No.1 overall pick, there’s no telling what will be meeting the team jet.

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“MOM! DEANDRE HIT ME!”

At this rate he’ll get no dessert for a week.

Keep on keeping on, Gus Bradley.

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For more betting details on this game, head over to OddsShark.

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While it’s highly unusual for the team with the worst record in the league to be a road favorite, some of the numbers do support Houston. Jacksonville has been outscored by 178 points this season, giving the Jags by far the worst point differential in the NFL. Houston ranks well above the Jags in both total offense (10th to 32nd) and total defense (3rd to 25th). Those numbers, however, haven’t shown up on the scoreboard. Houston is 27th in scoring defense, compared to Jacksonville at No. 30. The Texans are 29th in scoring offense, three spots ahead of the Jaguars.

Houston is riding a 10-game losing streak, but the last six games have been decided by seven points or fewer. That includes a 13-6 loss to Jacksonville two weeks ago. The Jaguars have won two straight games and are 3-1 against the spread in their last four contests. Jacksonville is 4-8 ATS this season, slightly better than Houston’s 3-9 record ATS. Jacksonville, however, is 0-5 ATS at home this season.

Game Date/Time and Location: Thursday, Dec. 5, 8:25 p.m. ET at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

TV schedule and distribution map: NFLN; The506.com

That’s not due to playoff implications or anything of the sort. It’s just projected to be competitive, as opposed to an outright Houston win as many suspected when the season got underway. But instead of marching right back into the playoffs, the Texans have crashed and burned big time this year.

Jacksonville ... has done the same, but the team had no expectations coming into this season. At 3-9, the Jaguars are right about where they were expected to be in head coach Gus Bradley’s first season at the helm. At 2-10, the Texans have been downright disappointing. Let’s take a look at the two teams below, starting with the home team: