NFL Thursday Night Football Week 14 2013 Preview: Texans Hope to Rebound, Jaguars Look for First Home Victory
The Houston Texans are looking forward to a second shot the Jacksonville Jaguars
Although Houston is in the middle of its worst season since 2005 --when the squad ended the season with a dismal 2-14 mark - Thursday night's game against the 3-9 Jaguars might be their best chance at winning in the near future.
The most disappointing thing about the way things have gone in Houston this season is that the team was unable to build off of two consecutive division titles. It looked like progress was in the making for the newer franchise, only to see it all come crashing down this year.
The Jaguars, on the other hand, have struggled mightily as well this season under new head coach Gus Bradley, who took over for Jack Del Rio. Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Bradley has done a solid job with what he has to work with.
"I think he's done a great job," Kubiak said. "He's had them playing hard all year long and consistent. And these last few weeks, they've played extremely well."
Last week the Texans put up their highest points total of the season in a close, 34-31 loss to the New England Patriots. Houston surpassed the expectations heading into the week but still blew a two score halftime lead.
"(It is) very humbling to go from truly visualizing you being in the Super Bowl to you being the worst team in the league," Texans defensive end Antonio Smith said. "But it isn't going to stop our fight."
Houston leads Jacksonville in a number of statistical categories to this point in the season. The Texans average 19.2 points per game as opposed to Jacksonville's 14.5 while Houston's defense also has given up fewer points per game.
The Jaguars will be on the prowl for their first home victory of the year after starting the year 0-5 on their own turf. All three of the team's wins have been on the road.