Sleeper of the Game is presented by Mattress Firm
As the Houston Texans prepare for Sunday's noon rematch with the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium, two players who typically operate away from the spotlight will carry outsized importance in determining the outcome.
On Texans All Access, Marc Vandermeer and John Harris identified center Jake Andrews as the Sleeper of the Game.
JAKE ANDREWS: COMMANDING THE MIDDLE WITH NEW FACES BESIDE HIM
Harris selected Andrews as his sleeper, emphasizing the center's crucial role in controlling Jacksonville's active linebacker corps.
"I'm going Jake Andrews at center," Harris said. "Now, it's a little different for Jake this week because the Jaguars kind of move around a little bit, it's a little different from what Denver does."
The bigger challenge for Andrews won't be scheme recognition—it'll be chemistry with potentially unfamiliar faces on either side.
"Biggest point is he may have two different guards next to him," Harris explained. "He may have Laken and Juice. He might have, you know, other guys, but he's got to get used to having if Laken and Juice during the game. He's not had a game this year where both of them have been next to him."
The Texans' ability to establish the run game hinges on Andrews' capacity to adapt quickly to different combinations along the interior offensive line.
"When Jake plays well and they can get a body to a linebacker, they run the ball well," Harris noted.
The stakes are clear: Jacksonville ranks third in the league in rush defense precisely because those linebackers consistently reach ball carriers unblocked.
"They have to get a guy on a linebacker," Harris said. "The Jaguars are third in the league in rush defense because those guys run the ball a lot of times on a baited. You got to get a guy there. Jake Andrews is a guy who controls someone out in the middle."
The Texans and Jaguars kick off at noon Sunday at NRG Stadium.
