JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jags rolled into Houston on New Year's Day riding a three-game winning streak, but they hadn't beaten the Texans since December of 2017.
They ended that losing streak Sunday with a 31-3 dominant win over the Texans.
The Texans got the ball first, but the Jaguars defense stuffed them on 4th and 1 to get the ball back. Then, the Jags moved down the field and JaMychal Hasty ran it in from five yards out to put the Jags up 7-0 early. Christian Kirk reached 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career on that first Jags offensive drive. The Jags defense forced a Texans’ three and out on the next drive to give Trevor and Co. the ball back. The Jags drove past midfield but were forced to punt back to the Texans. Logan Cooke had a beautiful punt that Chris Claybrooks was able to down at the Texans’ one-yard line. Darious Williams got called for defensive pass interference on the Texans’ next drive but the Jags defense forced the Texans’ third punt of the game. The Jags led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Jags would punt back to the Texans, but their defense forced the Texans’ fourth punt of the game to give the Jags the ball back with great field position. Andre Cisco almost came up with an interception before the punt. After the Jags got the ball back, Travis Etienne took off for a 62-yard touchdown run to put the Jags up 14-0. The Texans got the ball back, but Foley Fatukasi was able to get pressure on Texans quarterback Davis Mills who fumbled and Tyson Campbell picked it up for the scoop and score to put the Jags up 21-0. The Jags defense gave Trevor and Co. the ball back, but Trevor was picked off by Desmond King on a miscommunication between he and Zay Jones. However, the Texans were unable to take advantage of King’s interception as the Jags defense stopped them on fourth down in the red zone. The Jags would take a 21-0 lead into halftime.
The Jags started the second half with a statement drive capped off by Snoop Conner’s three-yard touchdown run- his first touchdown of his career. The Jags went up 28-0 at that point. Ka’imi Fairbairn knocked a 56-yard field goal through on the Texans’ ensuing drive to get Houston on the board. It was 28-3 Jags at that point with 5:49 left in the third quarter. Doug Pederson took Trevor Lawrence out of the game to rest his starting quarterback and inserted backup C.J. Beathard at that point. Beathard led the Jags downfield but was picked off by Jalen Pitre deep in Houston territory. The Jags led 28-3 after three quarters of football.
Riley Patterson drilled a 53-yard field goal with about six minutes left to put the Jags up 31-3.
The Jags hung on to break their nine-game losing streak to the Texans, beating Houston 31-3 to start 2023 off on the right foot.
The Jags (8-8) have won four straight to set up a showdown next weekend at home versus the Titans (7-9) with a spot in the AFC playoffs on the line.
The game time will be determined by the NFL following the conclusion of Monday night's Bills-Bengals game.
Live updates
The Jaguars are taking on the Houston Texans in Texas.
Right from the beginning, the Jaguars defense came up with the big stop on the Texan's first drive. They were able to get the ball on the first 4th and 1, setting great field position for Trevor Lawrence and the offense.
This led to an early lead for the Jaguars, with JaMychal Hasty running it. The extra point was good. 7–0, Jaguars
Fast-forward a few plays and Logan Cooke has a beautiful punt and Chris Claybrooks downs it at the one for the Jaguars. Some great special teams play by the Jags.
Second quarter, it's Travis Etienne with a burst and he breaks it for the 62-yard TD run to put the Jaguars up 14-0 on the Texans.
Later in the second, Folorunso Fatukasi gets pressure on Texans' Davis Mills who fumbles. It's Tyson Campbell with the scoop and score.
It's 21–0 Jaguars over Texans.
At the top of the third, Snoop Connor runs it in for the touchdown -- the first of his career!
Jags are up 28-0.
The Texans are on the board. Score is now 28-3.
C.J. Beathard is coming in as quarterback for the Jags.
Texans’ rookie safety Jalen Pitre picks off Beathard as the Jaguars were driving in Houston territory. Texans ball!
Riley Patterson drills it right down the middle from 53 yards!
Score is now 31-3.
IT'S OFFICIAL: The Jags dominated the Texans from start to finish and clinched their fourth state win. We've got some incredible momentum going into next week's game.
Background:
The team has won three games in a row and stand alone at the top of the AFC South at 7-8. With that being said, they've got a great shot to win the AFC South with a win over the Titans next week
While that showdown against the Titans will determine whether the Jags make the playoffs, the team isn't overlooking the 2-12-1 Houston Texans.
The last time the Jags beat the Texans was Dec. 17, 2017 when then-Jags quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns to lead Jacksonville to the 45-7 win over Houston.
Since that beat down of the Texans, the Jags have lost their last nine games against Houston.
Jaguars second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence is 0-3 versus Houston and would like nothing else than to keep the team's late-season momentum going with a victory in Houston Sunday.
Lawrence says these Jags are a much different team than the one that lost at home to the Texans 13-6 back on Oct. 9.