Jags Are playing for the AFC South Lead, what needs to happen to beat the Texans.

Here are 10 things the Jaguars must do Sunday to move closer to it:

1. Communicate. The Jaguars lost to the Texans, 37-17, at EverBank Stadum in Week 3 for multiple reasons. Among them: two huge miscommunications in the secondary. One led to a long pass that set up a touchdown. The other led to a long pass that was a touchdown. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud likes to test secondaries deep. You must communicate to pass those tests.
2. Go mobile. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in a 34-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans Sunday. It was the best the Jaguars’ offense has looked in weeks and the most mobile Lawrence has looked in weeks. Perhaps the two are intertwined.
3. Stop the run. The Texans have averaged nearly 150 yards a game rushing the past two weeks. It is emerging as a strength to their offense. The Jaguars are third in the NFL against the run and must win this matchup Sunday.
4. Pressure Stroud. They didn’t do it in Week 3, partly because Stroud got the ball out of his hand very quickly. It’s difficult to pressure when that’s the case, but the Jaguars must be at least a bit better in this area Sunday.
5. Get Etienne in the end zone. Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. didn’t score last week, but they’re 5-0 when he does. They’re also 6-1 when they score a rushing touchdown as a team. This team is best when it can will its way into the end zone.
6. Protect the ball. We’re breaking out some tried-and-true stuff here, but the Jaguars have been good offensively when they protect the ball and they’ve struggled when they don’t.
7. Protect Lawrence. The Jaguars allowed five sacks against the San Francisco 49ers and lost 34-3. They allowed one against Tennessee and won 34-14. Different defensive fronts, different circumstances, but it’s hard for the Jaguars to win if Lawrence is under constant pressure.
8. Take the ball away. More tried and true here, but the Jaguars are 7-1 when they force a takeaway this season. Stroud has committed six turnovers in the last two weeks. This feels like an area where the Jaguars can control the game Sunday.
9. Have Ridley be Ridley. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley is the Jaguars’ toughest receiver to cover. He has made huge differences in four Jaguars victories this season – Week 1 at Indianapolis, Week 4 against Atlanta, Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills and this past Sunday. He can play above the Xs and Os and strain a defense like no other Jaguars receiver. This needs to be one of “his” games.
10. Shut out the noise. The is the biggest NFL game at NRG Stadium since the 2019 postseason. The Texans are a young, ascending team and Houston is excited about their chances. This is the sort of game division powers go win on the road and maintain supremacy. That’s the Jaguars’ task.