Jaguars offense also had fourth quarter to forget in loss at Houston
Yes, the Jaguars’ defense collapsed Sunday at Houston, but the offense didn’t do anything well, either, sports columnist Ryan O’Halloran says.
The Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans 36-29 after leading by 19 points with under 13 minutes remaining.This collapse marked the largest squandered lead in the Jaguars’ franchise history.The Texans scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 93-yard drive, capped by a 14-yard scramble from quarterback Davis Mills.
In October 2012, the Jacksonville Jaguars were outscored 28-0 by the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter of a 41-3 home loss. The Bears scored via pass (two), rush and interception return.
But what happened Sunday (Nov. 9) against the Houston Texans should hit different for the Jaguars and their fans.
Those Jaguars 13 years ago never led the Bears.
These Jaguars led the Texans by 19 points with under 13 minutes remaining, but lost 36-29.
The squandered lead was the largest in franchise history, breaking the record of 17 points (four games).
This is a different edition of “10 Thoughts.” Here are 10 key plays in the fourth quarter. Call it “Anatomy of a Collapse.”
1. Big run to start drive
Trailing 19 with 1:33 left in the third quarter, the Texans needed some kind of boost to get a drive going and running back Woody Marks gained 19 yards up the middle. Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders was double-teamed, but defensive end Josh Hines-Allen missed an arm tackle, Marks ran over safety Andrew Wingard and the pile was pushed downfield.
“They’re going to need a whole lot more than just the run game to get this thing back in action,” J.J. Watt said on the CBS broadcast.
Don’t worry, J.J., that’s coming.
2. Texans get hope
On third-and-10 from the Jaguars’ 12, quarterback Davis Mills had a clean pocket against the Jaguars’ four-man rush. Receiver Jayden Higgins ran a quick slant against cornerback Greg Newsome, who was in off coverage. Newsome played outside leverage, suggesting he expected help inside from safety Antonio Johnson. Help didn’t arrive and the Texans scored the touchdown and the two-point conversion.
Jaguars 29, Texans 18, 12:16 remaining.
3. No response, Part 1
Time for the Jaguars to run some clock. Running back Travis Etienne had a solid first-down gain of five yards. But on second down from the 18, Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter darted inside of left tackle Walker Little and stopped Etienne for a 4-yard loss. Pre-snap, Hunter shifted a few steps inside so maybe left guard Cole Van Lanen should have gotten more than just a shoulder on him.
Hunter sacked quarterback Trevor Lawrence on the next play and the Jaguars punted.
4. Another big drive starter
After only a 42-yard Logan Cooke punt, the Texans started at their 49 with 10:04 remaining and were immediately on the move when Mills threw 22 yards to receiver Nico Collins.
Collins ran a post route and somehow caught the pass despite linebacker Devin Lloyd having a hand in Collins’ face.
5. Making it one-possession game
The Texans had third-and-3 from the Jaguars’ 7. Tight end Dalton Schultz was lined up in a three-point stance on the right side and three receivers were on the left.
Schultz started the play by chipping Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker before leaking out for a route. Cornerback Buster Brown was in decent coverage, but Mills smartly threw the ball high so only Schultz could catch it. Not bad defense, just very good offense.
Jaguars 29, Texans 24, 7:29 remaining.
6. No response, Part 2
Rookie Bhayshul Tuten’s 41-yard kick return gave the Jaguars good field position (own 45-yard line). But nothing again.
First down: Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o blitzed unblocked and Lawrence scrambled for three yards.
Second down: Etienne gained only three yards when Van Lanen couldn’t hold his block on defensive tackle Tommy Togiai.
Third down: Lawrence’s pass was batted down.
7. Third-and-10 conversion
A solid punt by Cooke pinned the Texans back at their 7-yard line with 6:10 remaining. Mills threw incomplete on first and second downs to set up a third-and-10.
Get a stop here and the Texans would have punted and had only one timeout. The Jaguars would have been in good shape.
But Schultz ran right at linebacker Foye Oluokun, catching him flat-footed when he darted his route inside. Mills, against a five-man pass rush, hit Schultz in-stride 10 yards downfield and the gain went for 22. The misplay by Oluokun was keeping his eyes on Mills instead of plastering himself in coverage to Schultz.
8. Suspect penalty call
The Texans had first down from the Jaguars’ 25 as the clock rolled under 90 seconds. Cornerback Jarrian Jones was in coverage against former Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk in the end zone. Jones was called for a 23-yard pass interference penalty.
It was the kind of hand-fighting that happens often, but the guess is the official saw Jones’ right hand grabbing onto Kirk’s left arm/wrist. A bad break for the Jaguars.
9. Go-ahead touchdown
The Texans really did try to hand the game back to the Jaguars. After Jones’ penalty, Houston went false start, rush for minus-2 yards, false start and incompletion to set up third-and-goal from the 14.
No matter. Mills received the shotgun snap and was pressured by Walker. Mills moved left and found room to run for the touchdown.
A 93-yard drive over 14 plays.
“Have to play better in the fourth quarter,” Oluokun said.
Said Lloyd: “Credit to them. They found a way. But we have to find a way to get off the field (and make a stop).”
Texans 30, Jaguars 29, 31 seconds remaining.
10. Inopportune penalty
The Jaguars’ final drive started at their 33, but went back nine yards when Lawrence was sacked again by Hunter. Lawrence scrambled 21 yards to the Jaguars’ 45. One more completion and they would be in Cam Little field goal range.
Lawrence threw 12 yards to receiver Parker Washington at the Texans’ 43 (60-yard field goal attempt), but Chuma Edoga, filling in at right tackle for Anton Harrison, was called for illegal hands to the face against Texans defensive end Will Anderson.
On the next play, Lawrence was sacked by Anderson and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins returned the fumble 32 yards for the touchdown.
Texans 36, Jaguars 29.
“That’s one we let slip away,” Walker said. “Definitely should have won it.”
Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com