The Texans are impressed with Jacksonville.
A Sunday matchup with the Jaguars kicks off at noon CT inside NRG Stadium. The Texans practiced inside the Houston Methodist Training Center on Monday. Jacksonville returns some impressive pieces on defense, as well as a few additions, like defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback A.J. Bouye. Tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz thinks the Texans will have their hands full in Week 1.
"They've always had a good defense," Fiedorowicz said. "They fly around, they have a lot of athletes at linebacker, a lot of good athletes at defensive line."
On top of the personnel, Fiedorowicz said playing a division rival will amp things up just a bit more.
"We're going to get their best effort, conference game, first time we've played a conference opponent first game of the year," Fiedorowicz said. "We're excited for the challenge. I know they are, and they're going to bring everything they got."
On the flip side, the Jaguars added running back Leonard Fournette in the NFL Draft. His presence, along with new leadership at the top, makes Jacksonville more dangerous.
"I know they've added some great players to that team," defensive end Christian Covington said. "They've switched it around. Obviously, new head coach. Obviously, when you have a man like (Jacksonville Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations) Tom Coughlin who runs the show over there, obviously it brings added juice to a team like that."
The Texans have won the last six meetings with the Jaguars.