ESPN names Jaguars vs. Texans as one of 2025's most 'interesting games'
ESPN names Jaguars vs. Texans as one of 2025's most 'interesting games'
While the AFC South might feel like a one-team race entering the 2025 season, there's one game that could define the month of September.
The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars' rivalry reached a new peak following last season's hit from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on quarterback Trevor Lawrence. A brawl ensued on the field and led to the eventual suspension of the Texans' captain.
ESPN believes given the outcome of Week 13's showdown in 2024, that will be one of the better games to kickstart a new season under Jaguars' first-year head coach Liam Coen.
"I didn't realize this until I saw Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco's note in our full schedule preview: The Jaguars and Texans haven't played since the Azeez Al-Shaair hit that ended Trevor Lawrence's 2024 season and incited a bench-clearing brawl," ESPN's Ben Solak wrote. "Well, they'll play in Week 3. Expect some pregame shenanigans and first drive tone-setting."
The Jaguars' revamped offense might have something to do with this game being one of the better early-season matchups. Brian Thomas Jr. was one of the top breakout stars after leading all rookies in receiving yards (1,297) and touchdowns (10). He'll be paired up with No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, who is expected to play both ways to begin his NFL career after a Heisman-caliber season at Colorado.
But the Texans could combat a new high-flying passing game with a top-five secondary. Second-year standouts Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter are two rising stars at cornerback and safety following promising rookie debuts. Earlier this offseason, the Texans also traded former first-round bust Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for do-it-all defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Since 2022, Gardner-Johnson has totaled 13 interceptions and 23 pass breakups. He's also been an anchor for an Eagles' defense that made it to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in New Orleans last February.
Jacksonville is projected to finish third in the division behind a first-year coordinator and head coach. Houston is projected to win its first AFC South title, but an early-season loss could flip the script for both sides.
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