📸 Image Credit: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans delivered a tense, low-scoring battle that kept fans glued to every play in week 3. What looked like a defensive struggle early on turned into a nail-biting finish as Jacksonville’s ground game and clutch defense powered them to a 17–10 victory.
A Promising Start for Jacksonville
The Jaguars set the tone late in the first quarter. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten capped off a 58-yard drive with a bruising 1-yard touchdown run, showcasing Jacksonville’s commitment to balance. Kicker Cam Little added the extra point to make it 7–0. The drive was patient and methodical, lasting nearly five minutes and proving that Jacksonville’s offensive line could control the trenches.
Texans Respond with Grit
Houston didn’t find the end zone in the first half, but they showed resilience. Quarterback C.J. Stroud led a 13-play, 71-yard drive in the second quarter, picking apart the Jaguars’ secondary with quick passes and smart decisions. The drive stalled inside the red zone, but kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn drilled a 27-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7–3.
The Texans’ defense also stiffened, bottling up Travis Etienne Jr. and forcing the Jaguars into tough third downs. By halftime, the game had all the makings of a classic AFC South grind-it-out contest.
Jacksonville Extends the Lead
Coming out of the locker room, Jacksonville put together another long drive. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence leaned on short passes and Etienne’s versatility to move the chains. Though they couldn’t punch it in, Cam Little stayed perfect, connecting on a 39-yard field goal. That gave the Jaguars a 10–3 lead with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.
Momentum seemed to swing toward Jacksonville, but Houston wasn’t going away quietly.
Stroud Strikes Deep
In the fourth quarter, the Texans finally broke through with a big play. On the first snap of a drive, C.J. Stroud uncorked a 50-yard bomb to Nico Collins, who torched his defender and cruised into the end zone. Fairbairn’s kick tied the game at 10–10, electrifying the Texans sideline.
It felt like Houston had stolen momentum, and Jaguars fans began to worry that their early efforts might unravel in the final minutes.
Etienne’s Heroics Seal the Win
But Jacksonville had an answer. With less than two minutes left, Trevor Lawrence orchestrated a crisp, no-huddle drive, spreading the ball around before handing it off to Travis Etienne Jr. The star running back broke free for a decisive 10-yard touchdown run, giving Jacksonville a 17–10 lead with 1:48 left on the clock.
The defense did the rest, clamping down on Stroud and preventing another Texans rally. As the final whistle blew, the Jaguars celebrated a hard-fought victory in front of their home fans.
| Quarter | Team | Scoring Play | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | JAX | Bhayshul Tuten 1-yd Rush (Cam Little Kick) | JAX 7 – HOU 0 |
| 2nd | HOU | Ka’imi Fairbairn 27-yd Field Goal | JAX 7 – HOU 3 |
| 3rd | JAX | Cam Little 39-yd Field Goal | JAX 10 – HOU 3 |
| 4th | HOU | Nico Collins 50-yd Pass from C.J. Stroud (Ka’imi Fairbairn Kick) | JAX 10 – HOU 10 |
| 4th | JAX | Travis Etienne Jr. 10-yd Rush (Cam Little Kick) | JAX 17 – HOU 10 |
Key Takeaways
- Bhayshul Tuten makes his mark: The rookie running back scored the opening touchdown, proving he can be a valuable part of Jacksonville’s rotation.
- Texans show flashes but lack finishing power: Stroud’s deep ball to Collins was spectacular, but Houston struggled to sustain drives in the red zone.
- Etienne remains clutch: With the game on the line, Etienne delivered the knockout blow, cementing his role as Jacksonville’s offensive centerpiece.
- Defensive duel: Both defenses forced long, grinding drives, limiting explosive plays outside of Collins’ touchdown.
Final Word
The Jaguars’ 17–10 win over the Texans wasn’t flashy, but it was the kind of gritty AFC South game that builds character. Jacksonville proved they can close tight contests, while Houston showed promise yet again under C.J. Stroud, even in defeat.
With this win, the Jaguars continue to assert themselves as contenders, while the Texans walk away knowing they were only a few plays away from stealing a road victory.
