JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Kainani Stevens and correspondent John Shipley offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom Sunday

Oehser …

1. Clean it up. The 4-1 Jaguars hold a two-game division lead entering Sunday – and while much pre-game focus is on the game's AFC South ramifications, a focus around the Jaguars is fixing what should be fixable issues. The Jaguars this past Sunday needed something of a late-game miracle for their third consecutive victory, 19-17 over the Philadelphia Eagles – needing that miracle mostly because they struggled with penalties for a second consecutive week and struggled in the red zone more than any other game this season. They not only had a kickoff return for a touchdown nullified by penalty, but they also had two drives reach the 1-yard line without points. The good news is the offense moved well and the victory may have been one-sided if not for the errors. The better news is that the Jaguars under Head Coach Liam Coen are historically a very good red-zone team – and they improved penalties dramatically last season after they were an issue early. The Texans are too good and too dangerous to give away points as the Jaguars did Sunday. Getting back to their normal red-zone efficiency and reducing penalties as they have done previously under Coen will be critical for the Jaguars Sunday.
2. Budding star. The Jaguars' Offensive Most Valuable Player through five games? The thought here is it's wide receiver Parker Washington. The surprise player offensively may be rookie wide receiver Josh Cameron, who in fact has been more than a surprise and is emerging as one of the team's most capable offensive weapons. Cameron, a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, has two touchdown receptions this season and missed an opportunity for a third against the Eagles when quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed him on a would-be first-half touchdown. Cameron also narrowly missed a highlight play when a questionable holding penalty on linebacker Jack Kiser nullified his 90-yard return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff. Cameron is more than big moments. He's a tough, reliable player who is fast earning the trust of Lawrence and the coaches. The best in this vein is yet to come, and the Jaguars could have yet another rising young skill player.

Sexton…

1. Critical juncture. This one has a playoff feel. Why? Perhaps it's because the only chance the Texans realistically have of making the playoffs is to win Sunday and move closer to the Jaguars in the AFC South. Or maybe it's because the Jaguars lost a 19-point lead in Houston last November to allow the then-3-5 Texans to climb to 4-5 instead of punting them out of the playoff picture. The Texans are better than their 1-4 record even if their only victory was against the 0-5 Tennessee Titans. Houston has long held the high ground in the series, and this game feels like one we'll point to, win or lose, for the rest of the season – not unlike last year's second matchup.
2. The Jaguars need their ground game this week. Candidly, even if left tackle Anton Harrison was playing, the Jaguars offensive tackle tandem would be the underdogs against Texans defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Anderson is the NFL's best defensive player through five weeks, and Hunter feeds off the protection schemes that slide toward Anderson. Harrison's absence, coupled with right tackle Cole Van Lanen still working his way back from offseason knee surgery, highlights the matchup. The Jaguars ran effectively last Sunday, but penalties negated many of their successful second-half runs and pushed the Jaguars into long-distance situations. They can't afford for that to happen Sunday. They must rely on running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr., which means the offensive line must have a good plan to handle Anderson and Co.

Stevens …

1. Time to lock in for Texans week. The Jaguars currently sit comfortably atop the AFC South, and a big opportunity awaits them Sunday. The Texans were favored by some in the preseason to win the division, but they so far have not lived up to expectations with their season's first victory last Sunday against the winless Titans. A Jacksonville victory Sunday could shift the Texans' priorities as they would fall to 1-5. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen can't allow his team to start slow, because these two franchises seem to always have tightly contested games lately. Coen's Jaguars typically respond well after a loss, but let's hope they can manage a strong response after close victory over the Eagles.
2. We're seeing why "depth" is always good. The Jaguars officially placed Harrison on injured reserve Tuesday after he sustained a knee injury against the Eagles. Harrison's timetable for return remains uncertain, but the Jaguars have some options at the position. Veteran Walker Little, who played well against the Eagles in pass protection, was a name floated as a trade possibility throughout training camp.  Roster construction is most certainly an art, but it pays to have a solid backup plan in an emergency.

Shipley…

1. Slow down the stars. If the Jaguars are to succeed on offensively Sunday, they must keep Anderson and Hunter from wrecking the game. That is much easier said than done, as evidenced by the success Hunter and Anderson have had the last several seasons. Anderson leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks this season, including three last week, and Hunter will likely draw plenty of Little in pass-rush situations on Sunday. The Jaguars' Week 10 loss to the Texans last season was largely because of Hunter and Anderson, and the duo must be the Jaguars' top focus Sunday. If the Jaguars can keep them from making game-changing plays, their offense will be in a much better place.
2. Feed Tuten. Tuten has made a big leap in 2026. He has continued to produce as his role has expanded with each week, with much of his production coming when he creates on his own. According to NFL's NextGenStats, Tuten has forced a missed tackle on 37 percent of his carries this season, the fourth-highest rate among running backs (minimum 40 carries), and 47.2 percent of his rushing yards have come after forcing a missed tackle – the NFL's second-highest rate. Against a tough Texans front that has been terrific against the run this season, the Jaguars likely will need Tuten to again help keep the offense moving. Tuten is gifted at creating his own big plays. Against the Texans, he should get many opportunities to do so.