In the lead for the vast majority of the meeting, the Jaguars did not come far from letting a significant success slip away.
Houston Texans (6-5) – Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3): 21-24
Divisional duel between two teams with positive results. Manhandled in September, the Jaguars this time took their revenge on the Texans. With a ground game that ran at 2.7 yards per carry, Trevor Lawrence (23/38, 364 yards, 1TD, 1int; 2 carries, 0 yards, 1TD) did what he could to advance his team. Jacksonville was especially able to count on its kicker. Despite a failure from 55 yards, which could have been costly, Brand McManus finished the day with 10 points.
A success that the locals missed. On the Texans side, kicker Matt Ammendola missed the two field goals he had to attempt. Too bad in a match lost by three points. Sacked 4 times, including 2 times during the last decisive possession, CJ Stroud (26/36, 304 yards, 2TD; 6 races 47 yards, 1 TD), like his opponent of the evening, had to do without a ground game. He even finished as the best runner on his team.
Attacks at a slow trot
The defenses take the upper hand at the start of the match. Only a field goal from the Jaguars avoided a first quarter without a point. The scenario of the second will be totally different. After advancing well on a screen pass, Jacksonville increased its advantage. A one-yard run allows Lawrence to give his team a 10-point lead. The Texans’ attack also wakes up and the Stroud/Dell duo allows the locals to respond immediately, 7-10.
A new kick allows the Jaguars to gain a little more margin. Each team will have an opportunity to change the score before halftime. But the Texans miss a field goal, while the Jaguars are blocked one yard from the endzone. The score does not change 7-13 at the break.
The first turning point of the match comes upon returning from the locker room. Trevor Lawrence is intercepted and the sanction is immediate. This time, it’s CJ Stroud who enters the endzone. For the first and only time in the match, the Texans took the lead, 14-13.
Jacksonville accelerates
An advantage that will be short-lived. Annoyed, Lawrence lets go of his arm and connects three times with Calvin Ridley. The two-point conversion is successful. The Jaguars drive home the point with a new field goal, 14-23.
The fourth failed attempt by the Texans, nine minutes from the end, even seemed to put an end to the suspense. Especially since McManus rushes to score his fourth field goal of the game.
A game of centimeters
Except that this attempt does not pass, and returns the ball to the Texans on their 45 yards. Stroud doesn’t let the opportunity pass him by. He finds Nico Collins (7 receptions, 104 yards, 1TD) who finishes his 17-yard run in the endzone. 21-24.
The Jaguars no longer advance and give the ball back to the Texans. There are two minutes and fourteen seconds left to play. CJ Stroud only has one timeout left. The young quarterback then makes big gains and sacks. He nevertheless advances enough to offer a 58-yard attempt to his kicker. The ball goes well, seems between the posts, but crashes into the bar. The Texans missed one yard to win overtime.
End of the match, the Jaguars win this duel, crucial in the race for the division. With now two victories ahead of the Texans and the Colts, the Floridians should no longer let the AFC South slip away.
