Texans Stage Impressive Comeback Against Jaguars
A nail-biting matchup in the AFC South between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars saw Houston score 26 points in the fourth quarter, clinching a remarkable home victory.
The Texans wrapped up the season with 36 wins and 29 losses, moving to 4-5 overall, while the Jaguars now sit at 5-4.
Throughout the first three quarters, the Jaguars controlled the game, with Trevor Lawrence leading the offense to a 29-10 lead heading into the final quarter. But Davis Mills, stepping in for the injured CJ Stroud, remained persistent and kept battling until the very end.
Mills and the Texans offense didn’t hold back, scoring touchdowns on all three of their fourth-quarter drives. He capped a significant comeback with a 14-yard run after a substantial 14-play, 93-yard drive, putting Houston ahead for the first time at 30-29.
Mills initially connected with rookie receiver Jayden Higgins for a 12-yard touchdown, then followed that with a pass to tight end Dalton Schultz after a quick three-and-out from Jacksonville. The home crowd erupted as Houston clawed back, narrowing the deficit to just five points with some time still on the clock.
There was still a glimmer of hope for the Jaguars. Lawrence, known for his quick thinking, rushed for 21 yards, reaching midfield with just 21 seconds to spare. Parker Washington, who had also scored earlier in the game, made a 12-yard catch into Houston’s territory. Yet, an illegal hand usage penalty nullified the play, ultimately derailing their chances.
Next, Lawrence was intercepted after being stripped by Will Anderson Jr., with veteran Sheldon Rankins recovering the ball and running it back 32 yards for a touchdown as the game came to a close.
It’s interesting, really—only weeks before, the Denver Broncos made headlines by scoring a high of 33 points in one quarter to defeat the New York Giants. Houston’s comeback wasn’t quite in that realm of explosive, but it still felt like something that seemed nearly impossible just moments before.
Mills completed 27 passes out of 45 attempts, totaling 292 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Conversely, Lawrence’s numbers were 13 completions on 23 attempts, with 158 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
For the Texans, Nico Collins stepped up big time. He caught 7 of 15 targets, racking up 136 yards, leading all players in receiving. Meanwhile, Jaguars’ Travis Etienne Jr. rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Jakobi Meyers, celebrating his 29th birthday and making his debut with the Jaguars, caught three passes for 41 yards.
