The Jaguars are good enough to win games like this, and that’s exactly why the mistakes hurt so much.
Against Houston, Jacksonville kept handing the Texans extra chances. A holding call on Brenton Strange wiped out a Bhayshul Tuten touchdown, and what should have been a chance to regroup turned into an interception by Trevor Lawrence.
Later, a flag for having 12 men on the field on fourth down didn’t show up as a turnover, but it changed the possession all the same. Instead of getting the ball back after a punt, the Texans stayed on the field, moved it, and eventually scored.
That was the story of the afternoon: the Jaguars kept digging holes they didn’t need to dig. Division games don’t leave much room for that, and Houston made Jacksonville pay for nearly every opening.
The big plays were just as damaging. The Jaguars had done a strong job all season of limiting explosive gains, but two of Houston’s three touchdown drives included chunk completions - a 42-yard catch to Nico Collins and a 50-yard catch to Jaylin Noel. Put those kinds of plays together with penalties, and the day can unravel fast.
Even with the loss, Travis Hunter gave fans something they’ve been waiting to see since Jacksonville drafted him. He scored a touchdown and picked off a pass in the same game, becoming the first player to do that since Brian Dawkins in 2002, who also did it against the Texans.
Hunter had his rough spots too. He allowed a big catch and was flagged for pass interference. But he spent much of the game matched up with Nico Collins, who has caused the Jaguars trouble before, and helped hold him under 100 receiving yards, something Jacksonville hadn’t done since Week 3 of 2023.
He also flashed on offense, piling up explosive moments that showed off the versatility that made him such a rare draft pick. At one point, he even lost his shoe and still forced defenders to finish the tackle.
Maybe it’s a Wembley thing? Both of Hunter’s career touchdowns have come in London. Or maybe we’re watching him grow into the superstar the Jaguars envisioned when they drafted him.
The loss will swallow up some of that shine, though. Winning would have made the Hunter performance feel even bigger, and Jacksonville simply didn’t close the door.
Still, a 4-2 start heading into the bye is more than a lot of people expected. The Jaguars control their own path and have put themselves in position to make a real AFC run. If they want that to happen, though, the cleanup has to start now.
In Other News...
Jaguars Still Lead The South But This Loss Exposed A Bigger Problem
The Jaguars still sit atop the AFC South, but the narrow Week 6 loss to Houston felt bigger than a one-game setback. Jacksonville got a spark from Travis Hunter, who made his presence felt on both sides of the ball with a touchdown catch and an interception, yet it still wasnt enough to offset a Texans team that kept finding answers all afternoon.
Houston piled up more than 400 yards and ultimately won it with a last-second field goal, exposing how much pressure the Jaguars are under to clean up their defensive play. In a division race where every slip can matter later, Jacksonville can point to the standings for comfort, but the performance against the Texans offered a reminder that leading the South does not mean the roster is playing like a finished product. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Win Put Jaguars Wideout Problem Under A Bigger Spotlight
Brian Thomas Jr.s afternoon in Houston ended long before the final whistle, and that only sharpened the conversation around Jacksonvilles passing game. The second-year wideout did not play a snap after halftime in the Week 6 loss to the Texans, finishing with two targets and no catches as his recent usage continued to trend downward. With other receivers taking on bigger roles, Thomas has become part of a broader discussion about how the Jaguars are distributing the ball and what that means for one of their most talented pass catchers.
Around the league, there is already speculation that Thomas could become a name to watch if Jacksonville ever decides to listen on a potential move. The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly looking at receiver help because of injuries, which has added another layer to the chatter, but the Jaguars are still dealing with a more immediate issue at home: how to get a once-central piece of their offense back into the mix without disrupting the rest of the group. [Read more 🡒]
Marvin Harrison Jr. Gives Texans Fans A Reason To Watch Sunday Closely
The Jaguars trip to London will come with an extra layer of intrigue, thanks to Marvin Harrison Jr. making his debut for the Houston Texans in the matchup Sunday morning. Houston acquired Harrison in a recent trade with the Arizona Cardinals, and the timing sets up an immediate spotlight game against a Jacksonville team that is always looking to control the AFC South picture on the other side of the pond.
Harrison also reunites with quarterback C.J. Stroud, his former Ohio State teammate, which gives the Texans another storyline to monitor beyond the usual international-game backdrop. Kickoff is set for Sunday, Oct. 18, at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network, and while Jacksonville has its own business to handle, there will be plenty of eyes on how quickly Houston can fold its newest playmaker into the offense. [Read more 🡒]