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.<\/p>\n
The Houston Texans<\/a> and Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>‘ rivalry reached a new peak following last season’s hit from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair <\/a>on quarterback Trevor Lawrence<\/a>. A brawl ensued on the field and led to the eventual suspension of the Texans<\/a>‘ captain.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n ESPN<\/a> believes given the outcome of Week 13’s showdown<\/a> in 2024, that will be one of the better games to kickstart a new season under Jaguars<\/a>‘ first-year head coach Liam Coen.<\/p>\n “I didn’t realize this until I saw Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco’s note in\u00a0our full schedule preview<\/a>: The Jaguars and Texans haven’t played since the\u00a0Azeez Al-Shaair<\/a>\u00a0hit that ended\u00a0Trevor Lawrence<\/a>‘s 2024 season and incited a\u00a0bench-clearing brawl<\/a>,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote. “Well, they’ll play in\u00a0Week 3<\/a>. Expect some pregame shenanigans and first drive tone-setting.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> in exchange for do-it-all defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n