The Jaguars left London on Sunday with more than just another game behind them. They also left with another referee decision drawing heat.
Late in the Week 6 matchup against the Houston Texans, running back Bhayshul Tuten appeared to get into the end zone for what looked like a touchdown. Instead, the score came off the board because officials flagged Jacksonville for holding. On X, NFL insider Jordan Schultz pushed back hard on the call.
"Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten has had at least 3 TDs taken away from him this season due to penalty," he posted. "This one was NOT a penalty."
The video clip in question showed Brenton Strange making contact with a defender, but no jersey grab. Strange and the defender simply collided as Tuten crossed the goal line untouched.
Even so, the penalty did not seem to completely knock Jacksonville off course in the game. The Jaguars still put up 14 points in the second quarter and kept the matchup close heading into halftime.
The bigger issue was on the other side of the ball, where Jacksonville’s defense gave up a late touchdown before the break. That swung the score from a 14-10 Jaguars lead to a 17-14 Houston advantage.
Sunday’s game also wrapped up a two-week stretch overseas for Jacksonville. The Jaguars played the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 11, then turned around to face the Texans on Sunday, Oct.
- They beat the Eagles 19-17 on a wild finish and finished the London trip at .500, a result that has led many to call the city the team’s second home.
Now the Jaguars head into their bye week after Week 6 before returning home to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. After that matchup, Jacksonville will head back on the road for three straight weeks.
The timing matters, too. Jacksonville entered Sunday at 4-1 and sitting alone atop the AFC South, while Indianapolis was the nearest challenger at 2-3.
The Colts have a bye in Week 7, but they can apply pressure with wins against Tennessee and Minnesota before Jacksonville comes back from its own break. That could set up a big showdown once the Jaguars return.
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 🡒]