Week 3 NFL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets | NFL Picks Against the Spread | NFL Props | Survivor
Chris Meaney
The Jacksonville Jaguars open up the 2021 season in Houston, where they’ll be facing off against the Houston Texans. For the Jaguars, it is the first time we’ll get to see Trevor Lawrence, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick out of Clemson, in the NFL. On the Texans side, it is increasingly likely Tyrod Taylor will get the nod at quarterback, with Deshaun Watson’s future with the Texans very much in question.
The oddsmakers like the Jaguars by a field goal, but both of these teams will try to start the 2021 season on a high note in what is expected to be a long season for both franchises.
(Join this FREE contest at DraftKings Sportsbook to earn your share of $20,000.)
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Week 1 Odds
Date/Time: September 12, 1 p.m. ET
Arena: NRG Stadium
How to watch: CBS
Opening odds: Jaguars -3 | O/U 44.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
Latest Texans vs. Jaguars odds
Looking for the latest odds for this matchup? Here they are, with the best prices from various sportsbooks showing first.
Opening odds – Texans vs. Jaguars
The Jaguars opened up as -2.5 point favorites, and that has since moved to -3. The biggest reason for this is the absence of Deshaun Watson, as every day it becomes less and less likely that he will suit up. The over/under for this game has also moved down from 45.5 to 44.5. With Watson out of the lineup, it is hard to envision the Texans scoring very many points this season. Travis Etienne’s preseason injury also hurts the Jaguars chances of scoring points, despite having two other viable running backs in James Robinson and Carlos Hyde. Expect the over/under to continue trending down once Watson is officially ruled out.
Quarterback analysis – Tyrod Taylor vs. Trevor Lawrence
A year ago, the Texans believed they had their franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson. Well, to start the 2021 season, the Texans have many more questions than answers at the position. It is impossible to know when, or even if, Watson will return to the team, and until he does, Tyrod Taylor will be the man under center. The 32-year-old speedster may not have Watson’s arm talent, but he’s an experienced quarterback with 47 starts under his belt, and he has had success in the past.
Most of the attention will be on the Jaguars quarterback in this matchup, as Trevor Lawrence will make his first start in the NFL. Arguably the most hyped quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, the Jaguars believe Trevor Lawrence can help get the team trending in the right direction. For a franchise that has never reached the Superbowl, the hype is at an all-time high in Jacksonville because of Lawrence.
Latest Texans betting news & info
The Houston Texans are coming off a disappointing 2020 season. Pegged by many to return to the playoffs after a successful 2019 season, the team went just 4-12, and failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. With Watson gone, things are expected to get worse before they get better in Houston. DraftKings Sportsbook sets the team’s over/under for wins at 4.5, so the oddsmakers are expecting a similar season from the Texans in 2021. Texans fans are hoping Taylor still has some magic up his sleeve, as he’ll need to play the best football of his career if the Texans are going to be competitive this season.
Latest Jaguars betting news & info
While the Jaguars went just 1-15 in 2020, there is reason for optimism in Jacksonville. That reason goes by the name Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft. After dominating defenses for three years at Clemson, the 21-year-old Lawrence is bring is talent to the NFL stage. Besides Lawrence, the Jaguars also have a first-time NFL head coach in Urban Mayer. The Jaguars are hoping that the former Buckeye coach is the right guy to lead the team back to prominence.
(Get an All Access pass to FTN NFL coverage across all sites for $349.99.)
Texans vs. Jaguars betting picks – NFL Week 1
The public is pretty split on this matchup, as 58% of bets against the spread are on the Jaguars. One bet that could be intriguing is betting the under at 44.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook. With Trevor Lawrence making his first NFL appearance, and Deshaun Watson a near guarantee to miss this game, the expectation should be a low-scoring, ugly game of football. FTN’s Matthew Freedman likes the Jaguars in this game, as he picked them -2.5 all the way back in mid-July. He wrote “I am extremely skeptical that QB Deshaun Watson will play for the Texans in Week 1, so this is basically a bet on HC Urban Meyer (ugh) and QB Trevor Lawrence against new HC David Culley (whoever that is) and probably QB Tyrod Taylor (assuming he beats out rookie Davis Mills).”
FTNBets best bets
Here are our betting picks for Texans vs. Jaguars in Week 1
- Under 44.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Jaguars -3 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
For more information, betting picks, and analysis, check out the FTN NFL Bet Tracker
How to bet on this game
If you want to bet on this matchup and don’t already have a sportsbook account setup, check out FTNBets’ top sportsbook page. You can see what shops are available in your state while also comparing lines, odds, promotions and bonuses to ensure you get the best value for your investment.
