Jacksonville Jaguars hope to end eight-game losing streak against Houston Texans on Sunday

Perhaps last week was a blip.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will have more than enough opportunities to prove themselves Sunday against the Houston Texans (0-3-1) as they return home to TIAA Bank Field to face their division rival.

The game is set to take place at 1 p.m. on CBS and WJXL 1010AM/92.5 FM on the radio. It will be the second divisional matchup of the season for Jacksonville.

A homecoming affair for the Jaguars (2-2), 100 former players will be welcomed back to TIAA Bank Field, including legends such as wide receiver Jimmy Smith, running back Fred Taylor and defensive end Tony Brackens.

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Last week, the Jaguars were unable to overcome the elements, turning over the football five times against the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) in what Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson hopes is a "blip" for Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his squad.

Jaguars look to end losing streak vs. Texans

The Jaguars haven't defeated the Texans in eight-straight matchups. Their last victory over Houston came in 2017, the year the team went on to face the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

The losing streak, though, isn't something that Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson is necessarily concerned about, nor is he giving his team any reason to think too much about it.

"This is a new team, new season, new opportunity for our guys," Pederson said Wednesday. "It may be something we talk about in small circles but it’s not a key message for me this week.”

Currently, the Jaguars have just five players on the roster that have been through the entire eight-game losing streak to the Texans. That includes offensive lineman Tyler Shatley, defensive lineman Dawaune Smoot, cornerback Tre Herndon, left tackle Cam Robinson and punter Logan Cooke.

When asked, the players echoed Pederson's sentiments, reinforcing the idea that this year's Jaguars are a new team.

"It's a little chip people (outside the building) are using on their shoulder, but this is a new team, new locker room and a new staff," Herndon said Wednesday. The Jaguars see their matchup against the Texans as an opportunity to continue to build on what they've already started this year.

"I don't think we're focusing on that," Smoot said Wednesday when asked about the losing streak. "I mean, we know what we are, we know we're a good defense, we know we're a good team. We're just focusing on going out there and putting on our A-game against the Texans."

Though the Texans are winless, the Jaguars aren't going to overlook them. Smoot and his teammates understand how important winning their divisional matchups are. Jacksonville will face the Texans on Sunday, and then next week take a trip to Indianapolis to face off against the Colts for their final matchup against the division-rival this year.

"We got to make sure we stay in first place. That's our goal," Smoot said. "We have to be able to win our division [matchups], that's going to shoot us in [the playoffs] so fast. So we're focusing on that. That's all we're really focused on.

Jaguars must account for Texans RB Dameon Pierce

Underutilized by his own coaching staff in college, former Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce hasn't been overlooked by his NFL staff and new head coach Lovie Smith. Thus far this season, Pierce has seen his touches increase week-to-week, ultimately carrying the football 60 times for 313 yards and two touchdowns.

Last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pierce ran the football 14 times for 131 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. He also caught six passes.

"He runs really hard," Smoot said. "So, we got to get multiple bodies on him. I mean, that's more than anything, they first start with the run. [In the] pass game, they have [Texans receiver Brandin] Cooks, they got some weapons out there.

Cooks has been a threat against Jacksonville since joining the Texans, catching 34 passes for 701 yards and five touchdowns in six matchups. While he will be a threat, the primary responsibility first and foremost will be to stop the run, something Jacksonville wasn't able to do well last week against the Eagles.

"More than anything, we have to stop the run because that's when we really can eat, we got a really good pass rush, so as long as we focus on that we will be good," Smoot said.

Foley Fatukski ruled out, Zay Jones back in the fold

Last week, Jacksonville was without one of its top offensive targets, receiver Zay Jones. This week, they'll get back Jones but lose defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi, who was ruled out Friday due to a quadriceps injury suffered against the Eagles. Fatukasi was unable to practice this week.

With Fatukasi unable to suit up, don't be surprised to see the Jaguars elevate Corey Peters from the practice squad. Peters is a 13-year league veteran.

On Friday, Pederson spoke about how important it is to have a player of his caliber eligible just in case he's needed.

“It’s good. He’s a veteran. He knows (Defensive Line Coach Brentson) Buckner’s style of coaching. He knows (Defensive Coordinator) Mike (Caldwell)'s defense. Good fit for us," Pederson said.

Peters spent the past six years playing for the Arizona Cardinals. Though he's never spent time with Caldwell, he spent 2015-17 and 2020-21 with Buckner as his defensive line coach.

Peters has played in 152 games, starting 132. He's accounted for 316 total tackles and 50 tackles for loss. Last season, he started 11 games for the Cardinals and totaled three tackles for loss and 10 solo tackles.

As for Jones, he was listed as questionable on the team's final game status report, but he's expected to play.

Jones is the team's second-leading receiver, accounting for 19 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown this season.

“He brings his leadership, a level of toughness, physicality with him, you do miss a little bit of the speed factor and burst down the field (when he is not able to play) with him," Pederson said Friday. "He’s that type of receiver, and it’s been another nice little, not security blanket but that type of player for Trevor (QB Trevor Lawrence).”

Pederson also seemed optimistic about outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (ankle, questionable) and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (hamstring, questionable) and their ability to suit up against Houston.

As for the Texans, they'll be without starting linebacker Blake Cashman (concussion), receiver Chris Moore (hip) and tight end Brevin Jordan (ankle). All three were ruled out on Friday. Meanwhile, starting defensive end Jonathan Greenard (ankle) is listed as questionable to play.

Jaguars to honor Hall of Fame left tackle Tony Boselli at halftime

The Jaguars are encouraging fans to stay in their seats at halftime as the team gets set to honor newly-enshrined Jaguars Hall of Fame LT Tony Boselli to celebrate his introduction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Boselli is set to receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during this time, too, and Jaguars Owner Shad Khan will unveil a new stadium signage, making a special announcement commemorating Boselli's legacy.

The first 15,000 fans to enter the stadium on Sunday will receive a "Tony Boselli #71 teal rally towel."

Fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with Boselli's Hall of Fame bronze bust from 10 a.m. to noon in the Jaguars' Fan Entertainment Zone. Fans can also catch a screening of "71," a behind-the-scenes documentary on Boselli's life and career, starting at 11 a.m. in Daily's Place.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans on Sunday at 1 p.m.