Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans Week 10 keys to victory
The Florida Times-Union gets you started ahead of the Jaguars’ game against the Texans with a couple of keys to victory to earn a win.
This loss marks the largest blown lead in the Jaguars’ franchise history.Jacksonville’s offense struggled to move the ball consistently, particularly in the second half.Receiver Parker Washington scored both a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown.
Everything was going Jacksonville’s way until it wasn’t.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) blew a staggering 19-point fourth quarter lead to the Houston Texans (4-5), falling 36-29 to their division rival thanks to back-to-back scores allowed in the fourth quarter.
The Jaguars were up 29-10 until Houston scored at 12:12 of the fourth quarter.
The loss becomes Jacksonville’s worst blown lead in franchise history (previous was 17 points four separate times). It also marks a major missed opportunity for the Jaguars to get to 6-3 and remain competitive in the AFC South, which is led by the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts.
The biggest play made by the Texans was a pass interference call on cornerback Jarrian Jones, who was covering Christian Kirk in the end zone. The Texans got the ball at the 2-yard line, and after being backed up a bit, they were able to finish the job, scoring as time dwindled.
Jacksonville’s fourth loss of the season was primarily due to the team’s inability to move the ball consistently. Besides the possessions where Jacksonville gained control of the ball in Houston territory thanks to turnovers, the Jaguars had three possessions that went for fewer than 40 net yards and led to punts or an interception.
Ultimately, the Jaguars, who have been better this season at finishing games, were unable to do so in one of the most important games of the season for both squads.
Houston cut the Jaguars’ lead to just five, 29-24, just over midway through the fourth quarter. Houston’s key possessions came after back-to-back three-and-outs by Jacksonville’s offense.
To make matters worse, Houston scored on a 14-yard scramble after back-to-back penalties pushed Houston back. The Jaguars were unable to make a miracle happen on their final possession of the game.
To make matters worse, the Texans scored on a fumble recovery for a touchdown to end the game after sacking quarterback Trevor Lawrence yet again.
The Texans out-scored the Jaguars 26-0 in the fourth quarter.
Here are our takeaways.
Jaguars offense struggles despite big leads throughout game
Jacksonville had some things to smile about during the first half. Offensively, though, there was plenty to be concerned about.
Jacksonville was out-gained by Houston 144-87 in the first half, without Houston’s end-of-half 54-yard gain by Nico Collins on a pass from Texans quarterback Davis Mills.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed just 6 of 12 passes for 57 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Lawrence was picked off on the team’s final possession of the first half by Texans corner Derek Stingley, who made an athletic one-handed interception on what appeared to be an open crossing route run by WR Austin Trammell.
The Jaguars had five possessions in the first half, leading to two field goals, a touchdown, a punt and an interception. Jacksonville’s low net yards were likely the result of great starting field position after two turnovers forced by Jacksonville’s defense and special teams.
The Jaguars began two scoring drives on the Texans’ 40 and 19-yard lines. Without stellar field position, though, Jacksonville mustered just a field goal and totaled 31 net yards on that drive for a 53-yard field goal made by kicker Cam Little to put the team up 20-3.
The Texans scored with about 1:19 left in the first half to cut Jacksonville’s lead to just 10 points at 20-10.
Jacksonville’s offense was largely inefficient, going 2 of 6 on third downs and 1 of 2 in the red zone after being forced to kick a field goal on their first possession following a turnover.
Jacksonville had solid numbers on the ground with 52 rushing yards on 13 runs. Etienne led the way with nine carries for 44 yards.
The Jaguars finished with just 213 total net yards, while Lawrence finished 13 of 23 for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception. One of Lawrence’s roughest showings this season.
Jaguars force multiple turnovers to start game vs. Texans
The Jaguars have struggled at times, starting fast on either side of the football. This week against Houston, Jacksonville started quickly defensively, intercepting Texans quarterback Davis Mills. It marked cornerback Jarrian Jones’ second-career interception and first this season.
Jones started at nickel with Jaguars corner Jourdan Lewis (neck) ruled out ahead of the contest after re-injuring the ailment against the Las Vegas Raiders last week. Jones had a key pass breakup later in the contest in the third quarter after Houston went for it on fourth down.
The Jaguars turned Jones’ interception into a 32-yard chip-shot field goal for kicker Cam Little.
The team forced another turnover on the immediate kickoff, with linebacker Ventrell Miller forcing a fumble, and rookie defensive end Danny Striggow recovered the ball to give Jacksonville the ball in Houston territory. The Jaguars turned the latter turnover into a touchdown, giving them an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
Parker Washington shows he’s capable with two big-time touchdowns
Jaguars third-year receiver Parker Washington has been tasked with picking up the slack with both Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter out due to injuries. Hunter must miss two more games after this week to return from injured reserve, while Thomas’ ankle injury comes with an undetermined return timeline.
Washington wasted no time against Houston, showing he’s fine with taking on the role as a go-to receiver and starter. In the first quarter, after the Jaguars recovered a special teams fumble by Houston in their own territory, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with the third-year wideout on a seven-yard touchdown in the back left corner of the end zone.
Washington’s touchdown was an acrobatic, twisting catch after Lawrence threw a picture-perfect pass. Up to that point in the contest, Washington led the Jaguars in receptions (13) and receiving yards (149) since Week 7.
Washington followed up his receiving touchdown with a punt return touchdown after a Houston punt with 12:01 remaining in the second quarter. Washington took the Tommy Townsend punt 73 yards to put Jacksonville up 17-0.
Washington also drew two pass interference penalties in the first half to give Jacksonville better field position.
Jakobi Meyers goes for 41 yards in Jaguars debut
The Jaguars acquired receiver Jakobi Meyers via a trade with the Raiders ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline last week. He’s already proven to be a valuable asset.
In the third quarter against Houston, Meyers hauled in an 11-yard pass on second-and-11 to extend Jacksonville’s drive. The drive ultimately ended in a touchdown run by Etienne.
Meyers finished the game with three catches for 41 yards as the team’s leading receiver.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
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