The Houston Texans emerged victorious in a gritty AFC South showdown, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20 on Sunday. The game, played at TIAA Bank Field, was marked by standout performances from Texans running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Nico Collins, as well as a controversial injury to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Joe Mixon had a stellar outing, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. His 8-yard gain on third-and-5 in the final minutes was a game-sealing moment, helping Houston (8-5) maintain its two-game lead atop the AFC South. Mixon’s performance was historic, as he became the third player in NFL history to record at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in six consecutive road games in a single season. He joined elite company with Tiki Barber (2004) and Derrick Henry (2020) but is the first to achieve the feat in his first six road games of a season.
Nico Collins also played a pivotal role, hauling in eight catches for 119 yards. His ability to find openings in the Jaguars’ secondary kept Houston’s offense moving throughout the game.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud had another solid performance, completing 22 of 34 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown. His 22-yard scoring strike to tight end Dalton Schultz early in the fourth quarter extended Houston’s lead to 23-6. Schultz finished with five receptions for 61 yards, becoming the latest tight end to exploit Jacksonville’s defense.
The Jaguars (2-10), who have now lost five straight games and 15 of their last 18, struggled defensively and could not contain Houston’s balanced attack.
The game’s turning point came in the second quarter when Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion after a violent hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The play sparked a sideline-clearing brawl, with Jacksonville tight end Evan Engram leading the charge against Al-Shaair. Lawrence was carted off the field and did not return, with the Jaguars quickly ruling him out for the remainder of the game.
Mac Jones, Lawrence’s backup, stepped in and delivered an impressive performance, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Jones nearly orchestrated a comeback, rallying Jacksonville from a 23-6 deficit in the fourth quarter. However, the Jaguars’ defense could not get the ball back after Mixon’s critical late-game conversion.
Sunday’s victory marked Houston’s 12th win in its last 14 meetings with Jacksonville and its sixth consecutive win in Jacksonville. The Texans continue to dominate this divisional rivalry, adding another chapter to their recent success.
The Texans head into their bye week before hosting the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15 in what promises to be another crucial matchup. Meanwhile, the Jaguars face another divisional challenge next Sunday as they travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans.
With the win, Houston remains in control of the AFC South, while Jacksonville’s season continues to spiral, now with questions about Lawrence’s availability moving forward.
