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Texans Vs. Jaguars: Run defense should be the focus

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 30: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans is tackled by linebacker Daryl Smith #52 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium on October 30, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

When the injury bug strikes, it strikes hard. The Jaguars will be without Clint Session, Rashean Mathis and Derek Cox for the rest of the season and without Terrance Knighton and Matt Roth on Sunday. That's five defensive starters that played against the Texans less than a month ago that will not play in the rematch.

With those five players, the Jaguars gave up 358 yards of total offense and 156 yards rushing. In part two against the Texans, it seems even more likely that Houston will rely on their running game for offensive production. With starting quarterback Matt Schaub out for the season, the Texans will likely want to use Arian Foster ad nauseum in the coming weeks.

Even prior to Schaub's injury the Texans ran the ball much more than any team in the NFL with 337 rushing attempts through 10 games. For perspective, the Raiders are the team with the next most carries at 279 with the Jaguars right behind them at 278.

The Jaguars should focus heavily on stopping the run and take their chances against Matt Leinart and Andre Johnson. With the starting defensive line likely to be Jeremy Mincey, Tyson Alualu, C.J. Mosley and Leger Douzable, they will have bigger bodies up front, but they will need better linebacker play than they received against the Browns. Strong gap control will be key to stop the zone blocking Texans run game.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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