Keagan Smith takes you through his preview, prediction, and pick for NFL Week 3\u2019s game between the Jaguars and Texans on Sunday.<\/p>\n
An intriguing AFC South matchup takes place at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday during the Week 3 NFL slate. The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> (1-1) nearly began the Liam Coen era 2-0 but fell just short last week. Still, early signs are quite encouraging, but a date with the reigning back-to-back division champ Houston Texans<\/a> (0-2) sets up a tough matchup with the visitors aiming to bounce back after a couple of tough losses. Can C.J. Stroud and Co. get their first win of the year and hit the reset button, or will this new look Jags offense get the better of an imposing defense to stun their rival?<\/p>\n Get ready for this Week 3 matchup with a Jaguars vs. Texans prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook.<\/p>\n Jaguars vs. Texans prediction, preview<\/p>\n Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n Through the first two weeks of the new campaign, these Jaguars have already emerged as a team to watch out for as a sleeper to go over their win total and turn some head. Jacksonville downed the Carolina Panthers<\/a> in Week 1 before barely losing on a late touchdown by the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> last Sunday. Realistically, they could be 2-0, but a 1-1 start certainly feels good given the reputation of this franchise over the last couple of seasons.<\/p>\n The winds of change are clearly blowing in Duval County. Under Coen\u2019s guidance, the Jaguars have an above-average offense with 26.5 points and 389 yards per contest, the seventh and fourth-best marks in the NFL. Now only that, but they\u2019re eighth in yards per play at 5.8, first in yards per rush at 5.7, first in rushing yards per game with 169.5, and 13th in third-down conversion percentage at 44%. Despite shaky play from Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville looks great and the offensive line also seems sneaky good with the lowest sack percentage in the league at just 1.35%. If the team can hit its stride with the passing game, this new staff will be cooking with gas.<\/p>\n The defense garnered much criticism in years past, but the Jaguars are largely playing decent football on that side as well. They\u2019ve held opponents to 20.5 points and 302.5 yards on average, 14th and 10th-best, and also posted middle-of-the-pack rankings in opponent red-zone scoring percentage and touchdowns per game. The run defense appears stout thus far with 80.5 yards allowed per contest and just 3.8 yards per carry, and while the pass defense posts pedestrian numbers, the Jags\u2019 secondary has five interceptions in just two games, the most of any team.<\/p>\n Houston Texans<\/p>\n The Texans come off back-to-back AFC South championships and are favorites to claim one more once again this year. The way they\u2019ve started the season suggests otherwise though after an 0-2 start with losses to the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> and Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> on their resume. The part people are neglecting to mention, though, is that Houston came within a score of winning each of those games and could easily be 2-0 right now.<\/p>\n That\u2019s in spite of an anemic offense scoring a league-low 14 points per game with an average of just 265.5 yards. There\u2019s very little to like about how this attack performs thus far, averaging just 99 rushing yards and 166.5 passing yards through the first two contests, though there contextual factors at play here. Pro Bowl halfback Joe Mixon remains out on the NFI list with a foot issue while wideout Christian Kirk missed the first two games with a hamstring problem and should return for this one. The veteran receiver should add a proven chain-mover to this passing attack and play a key role as a top target for C.J. Stroud, but as long as the offensive line struggles, the Texans may see little of their potential ceiling. The team ranks 30th in sack percentage at 10.53%, and with an NFL-worst 22.22% conversion rate on third downs, this feels like deja vu of last year\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n That feeling extends to the defense, which was already strong last season but seems to have improved in 2025. Houston limited two very talented offenses to an average of 17 points per game across the first two weeks and kept things competitive throughout each contest. A standout pass rush looks like one of the NFL\u2019s best with a 9.46% sack percentage, seventh overall, and despite giving up 328 yards per game they\u2019ve come away with key stops more often than not. Were it not for this unit, the Texans would\u2019ve been blown out twice \u2014 in similar fashion to last year, this team will lean on the defense to win games while the offense works into form.<\/p>\n Jaguars vs. Texans pick, best bet<\/p>\n