Big Cat Country Q&A: How much difference does JJ Watt being out make?

Let’s answer some questions ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars facing the Houston Texans in our Week 9 matchup in London!

Sam from Jacksonville, FL

Q: How much of a difference does JJ Watt being out for the season make on the game?

A: Huge. The Texans only have 17 sacks through eight games, but Watt was second on the team with 4.0 sacks and first on the team with 20 quarterback hits. Him being out means Houston has only one legitimate pass rusher in Whitney Mercilus. Teams can scheme against one pass rusher. Two or more? That’s tough.

Clyde from Jacksonville, FL

Q: If Gardner Minshew wins in jolly ol’ London do you think he remains the starter?

A: I sure hope so. I have zero bearing over what Doug Marrone is going to do though. Truthfully, I think Marrone has been putting off this decision to focus on each week’s game and that he doesn’t have a firm answer yet either.

Liam from Kingsbury, GA

Q: How can the Jaguars improve their red zone offense?

A: I think Gardner Minshew just needs experience to allow the offense to do things like quick snaps and play action. As of now, the offensive line isn’t getting the push against opposing defensive linemen it needs and this coaching staff wants to run their preferred plays.

Aiden from Gaithersburg, MD

Q: How are the Jaguars not seriously considered a contender yet?

A: Because they lost to the Texans in Week 2. If they win on Sunday, they will be.

Shane from Jacksonville, FL

Q: How many of the starting offensive lineman do you think we should move on from after the season and why?

A: A.J. Cann and Andrew Norwell because they’re not good enough.

Mack from Reston, VA

Q: Should the Jaguars pick up Josh Gordon off waivers with Marqise Lee on injured reserve?

A: I don’t think so and they probably won’t anyway.

Thomas from Orlando, FL

Q: Other than Nick Foles, who is the most likely to return from injured reserve?

A: If the Jaguars are in the playoff hunt, Marcell Dareus will be back.

Jacob from Atlantic Beach, FL

Q: Is Doug Marrone willing to risk losing the Gardner Minshew and DJ Chark on-field relationship, if it means having Nick Foles start again?

A: I don’t think that’s how it works in professional sports. The only way the relationships in that locker room will suffer is if Nick Foles isn’t any good. And they developed a rapport throughout the offseason and preseason. I don’t think Gardner Minshew being benched will decrease DJ Chark’s production so long as Foles just doesn’t fall off a cliff in terms of on-field play. If he does... we have bigger problems than a quarterback and receiver falling out of favor with one another.