Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) – Houston Texans (1-2): 17-37
First victory for CJ Stroud (20/30, 280 yards, 2TD) and DeMeco Ryans! To everyone’s surprise, the men from Texas came to Jacksonville to dominate the Jaguars in all areas of the game.
Ahead from A to Z, Houston was able to make the difference in the last quarter when Jacksonville thought it could come back. The rookie quarterback was one of the great men of this victory.
On the other hand, Jacksonville is worried. The attack seems poorly guided and Trevor Lawrence (27/40, 279 yards, 1TD, 1INT) disappoints. As for the defense, it was unable to take advantage of an offensive line that had been struggling over the past two weeks.
Jacksonville folds…
Catastrophic first half for the Jaguars. Doug Pederson’s men are overwhelmed in defense and above all very disappointing in attack. Continuing the match against the Chiefs, the Jaguars only manage to advance the ball in bits and pieces and above all fail to conclude.
1 missed kick and one blocked, 1 fumble in the Texans camp, nothing is going well.
It was quite the opposite for the Texans in the first half. CJ Stroud (14/20 and 1TD at halftime) does well in the pocket and multiplies passes to his different targets (8 players with one reception).
On the Texans’ first touchdown, it was a pass from the rookie quarterback that allowed the team to reach the opposing red zone and be close enough to the end goal to see Dameon Pierce (14 carries, 31 yards , 1TD) conclude (0-7).
On the second, Stroud continues the gains and finds Brevin Jordan in the endzone for the touchdown (0-14). Jacksonville is stunned.
The rookie even impressed on the last series before halftime when he brought his team 56 yards in 1 minute. The visitors can then add a kick to lead 17-0 at half-time!
And breaks up…
However, the Jaguars are thinking of getting back into this match by coming back to within one possession of the Texans in the second half.
It is first and foremost thanks to the ground that the Jaguars hope to come back. Doug Pederson and his coordinator choose to go back to basics and it works. Travis Etienne (19 races, 88 yards) made big gains (49 yards on the drive) and a defensive error from the Texans allowed the visitors to be on the opponent’s 1 yard line. Tank Bigsby is then sent full center for the touchdown (10-17). On the next series, the attack added a field goal to get back to 10-17.
It was at that moment that the locals pulled off an improbable action to put the Jaguars with their heads underwater. On the kickoff, the Texans saw their fullback (and not their returner) receive the ball before losing it. Finally the player recovers it and runs for 85 yards! Incredible touchdown (10-24)!
ANDREW BECK WHAT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/myxIChnNsd
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 24, 2023
Houston drives the point home on the next series by intercepting Lawrence. A loss of ball enhanced by the attack with a field goal (10-27).
Jacksonville tries to come back again with a touchdown (17-27) from Christian Kirk but these Texans are indomitable. The attack responded with 10 points in quick succession (17-37) including a superb deep reception from Dell.
If Jacksonville is worried, the Texans have something to smile about at the sight of this high-level performance for them!
