The upcoming Jaguars game, 10/30/2011

[WMH]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Apparently, the very early lines had the Texans by 9-1/2 so it has already moved down if it is now 7. The two things that concern me are: 1) the Texans have never been that good at stopping MJD and 2) we'll be the fourth straight 3-4 defense the Jags will have faced so they'll know exactly what we are doing.

IMO, Sunday was the first time all year we've played two good halves. Just because it happened once, we shouldn't assume we won't go back to our "one good half" trend this week.

Agree somewhat, but I really think you are discounting the total ineptness of the Hags offense. They are averaging 12 pts. per game....and that's a little skewed cause the hung 20 on Cincy. Probably closer to 10ish without that game.

Even if we have one of our 1st half games, which we all know is a definite possibility, I just don't see how they have the fire power to catch back up.

[Keith]

Exactly.

I think the Texans cover easily. They are typically a fast-start team which ought to make the Jags think pass too early. I like the offense to jump out quickly in the first half and for the defense to express themselves in the second.

This is battle red day.... I doubt the team suffers any sort of letdown after the Titans win, though I could see the Jags going through the motions here after their business with the Ravens.

[Arky]

I guess we'll see Sunday....

Interesting to note, the spread is not moving. Still 9.5 to 10.5. Walt has 57% of the money coming in on Houston. Though a small sample size @ 2,000, this tells me the general public might have more faith in the Texans covering that some of us do....

There's a phenomenon in the betting world that happens sometimes.... Last week, when the Titans were favored by 3, right before kickoff, I saw two of the sportsbooks (5Dimes and Sportbet) drop to Titans by 1.5. This means a huge amount of money came in for Houston at the last minute. When you see something like that, you can bet (pun intended) it is pro-gamblers/sharps wagering on what they think is a lock. When I saw that, I thought "Texans might just win today".....

[WMH]

No real surprise here:

@McClain_on_NFL: Andre Johnson didn't practice today. Gary Kubiak said he's not ready to play Sunday.

@McClain_on_NFL: Kubiak said he held Johnson out of practice to help him prepare for Cleveland game.

@McClain_on_NFL: Johnson practiced Wednesday and Thursday but said he didn't feel right after both practices.

Personally, and this is assuming we come out of Sunday with a W, I'm not sure I play him vs. Cleveland either....one game at a time though.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by WMH

Personally, and this is assuming we come out of Sunday with a W, I'm not sure I play him vs. Cleveland either....one game at a time though.

Worth the threat at least to get the Browns to spin their wheels on how they adjust their defensive plan if there is a possibility Andre plays. Probably not a big waste of their time, but all part of the chess match....

[HPF Bob]

I'm actually kind of happy AJ will sit this week out because I think we can win without him. Then, next week, activate him but use him sparingly - more as a decoy than as a weapon.