Coming into Sunday morning’s AFC South clash, few expected an explosion of points. The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the contest with the NFL’s No. 1 run defense (63.8 yards allowed per game) and the No. 2 scoring defense (14 points allowed per game). The Houston Texans, meanwhile, boasted the league’s No. 3 run defense (78.4 yards per game) and ranked No. 2 in sacks (18).
However, both defenses had shown one flaw: pass defense. Both teams came into Sunday bottom 10 league-wide in terms of passing yards surrendered per game. Knowing their opponents' deficiencies, both teams looked to win through the air.
Trevor Lawrence, who entered Jacksonville’s sixth game of the season ranking top 10 in completion percentage, passing touchdowns and passer rating, was his usual excellent self, going 24-of-41 passing for 306 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. But Lawrence was outdueled by Houston’s C.J. Stroud. The third-year quarterback was on fire Sunday, completing 24-of-34 pass attempts for 312 yards and three touchdowns, as well as one interception.
Behind Stroud’s elite effort and a game-winning 49-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn, the Texans (2-4) bested the Jaguars (4-2) 34-31 at London’s Wembley Stadium. It marked the first time that Jacksonville allowed 21-plus points in a regular-season game since Nov. 23, 2025.
Stroud’s success through the air resulted in excellent performances by the Texans' receiving core. Second-year player Jaylin Noel led both teams with 107 receiving yards, as well as a touchdown. Nico Collins added 74 yards, while Dalton Schultz, Woody Marks, Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Foster Moreau (two touchdowns) and new addition Marvin Harrison Jr. all had at least two catches.
Marks and Jawhar Jordan also became the first two rushers to total 40-plus yards against the Jaguars this season. Marks led with 15 carries for 56 yards, while Jordan added 43 yards and a touchdown on six carries.
For Jacksonville, five different players had four-plus catches and 44-plus yards. Jakobi Meyers led the team with five catches for 83 yards, while Parker Washington added 64 yards. Bhayshul Tuten added 48 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and Brenton Strange brought in five catches for 44 yards.
But it was Travis Hunter who arguably shined the brightest. The two-way player made an impact on both sides of the ball, grabbing four receptions for 59 yards and his second-career touchdown. Defensively, Hunter was on point as well, becoming the first player to pick off Stroud this season.
Lawrence got rolling from the opening offensive snap, finding the ever-dependent Strange for a 24-yard gain. However, the Jags weren’t able to capitalize and punted to pin the Texans back near their own goal line.
After a Texans three-and-out and a Jaguars turnover-on-downs, Houston opened up the scoring on its second drive. On a first-and-10 near midfield, the Texans dialed up the big-play button, and Stroud aired it out deep to Collins, who made a 42-yard grab over Hunter. Two plays later, Stroud found a wide-open Moreau for a 6-yard score after a coverage miscommunication between Foyesade Oluokun and Eric Murray.
The Jaguars looked destined to lessen the deficit with a 14-play, 59-yard drive that brought Lawrence and Co. down to the three-yard line. But disaster soon struck, and once again, it was in the red zone. On second-and-goal, Tuten seemed to find the end zone, but a hold by Strange nullified the scoring play. Two plays later, Lawrence looked for Meyers in the end zone, but ball-hawking safety Calen Bullock picked off the pass to keep the Jags off the board. That marked the fourth consecutive red zone drive over their last two games where the Jaguars did not find the end zone. Over those four drives, Jacksonville recorded just 3 points.
But the stout Jacksonville run defense quickly forced a change of possession, and when the Jaguars got the ball back, they weren’t going to miss their opportunity. Lawrence first connected with Washington on third-and-4 near midfield for a massive 27-yard gain. Two plays later, Lawrence hit Tuten on a swing pass. Thanks to an excellent block from Meyers, Tuten found open space and took it home for a 27-yard touchdown.
Stroud kept dealing on the ensuing drive, connecting with Noel and former college teammate Harrison Jr. for first-down gains. However, the Jaguars defense would not break, and instead bent for a 25-yard Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal.
With Houston receiving the ball after the half, Liam Coen’s Jacksonville offense needed to get on the board. And they did just that. After a great kickoff return from rookie Josh Cameron to put the Jags in excellent field position, Lawrence dished and dealt to Meyers and Hunter for first downs. Then, Lawrence put an end to Jacksonville’s red-zone woes, finding Tuten on a swing route once again for a 2-yard go-ahead score.
But Stroud and the Texans offense would not go into the break without a fight. On the first play of Houston’s ensuing drive, Stroud threw a picture-perfect downfield pass to Noel for a massive 50-yard gain. On the next play, Hunter was flagged for pass interference against Collins in the end zone, which set up Houston at the 1-yard line. Then, Stroud threw a beautiful touchdown pass to Moreau that barely went over the fingertips of Jarrian Jones. That play put Houston up 17-14 headed into the intermission.
While the Texans had a chance to double up out of the break, the Jaguars' defense stood tall, forcing a three-and-out. However, Jacksonville committed a horrible penalty when Hunter accidentally remained on the field on the ensuing punt, giving Houston an automatic first down.
From there, Stroud kept dealing. He first found Harrison for a 14-yard gain before Stroud then hit Noel for another first-down play one play later. He would again connect with Harrison on a crucial third-down to move the chains. And then on yet another third-down, Stroud found Noel, who decimated Jourdan Lewis with an excellent stutter-step route, for a 13-yard score to put Houston ahead by 10.
In Jacksonville’s attempt to respond, Lawrence tried to connect with Meyers multiple times, but the pair couldn't connect. That gave Houston a chance to take total control, but the Jags' defense stepped up to force a punt.
Then, Lawrence and Meyers finally got going. On consecutive plays, the pair combined for gains of 22 and 28 yards to put the Jaguars back in the red zone. Tuten almost had another receiving touchdown with an 11-yard catch-and-run, but he was shut down one yard before the goal line.
But then, rookie Nate Boerkircher made the best play of his young career. On first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Lawrence lofted to the Texas A&M product, who made an excellent one-handed grab to secure his first career touchdown.
Houston looked to regain the momentum, and a crucial third-down pass interference call against Jones put the Texans in excellent field position. One play later, Jordan burst through the heart of the defense for a 25-yard touchdown, his first career house call. Jones was again at the center of that play, missing a crucial tackle.
But Jacksonville would respond. Hunter continued to make the most of his offensive opportunities, breaking through would-be tacklers for a highlight-reel 30-yard gain. Lawrence would then connect with the two-way stud for a 7-yard score to once again limit the deficit to three. Both of Hunter’s touchdowns during his career have come in Wembley.
Hunter’s heroics continued on the ensuing Houston drive. After the Texans drove downfield thanks to a great 22-yard grab by Collins, Hunter picked off Stroud in the end zone.
Jacksonville had a chance to go ahead, but its drive ultimately stalled just past midfield. Cam Little, however, showed off his excellent range, nailing a 60-yarder to tie the game at 31-apiece.
But Stroud commanded a seven-play, 36-yard drive that put Houston well within position to secure the victory. Ultimately, Fairbairn connected from 49 yards out as time expired to secure the win.
Jacksonville enters its bye week still in the AFC South lead. The Jaguars will face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Nov. 1 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @maxbernstein23.
Max Bernstein is a fourth-year sports and media journalism major and sports management minor. This Fall, he is a Sports Editor and a Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars reporter at The Alligator. Now in his ninth semester with The Alligator, Max previously served in roles including Digital Managing Editor, Sports Editor, Assistant Sports Editor and Football Reporter. He has also made appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. In the rare moments Max isn't working, he's usually with his girlfriend Reese, watching sports with his fraternity brothers or missing his family and his two cats.
