Pro Hockey News

Sunday, January 1, 2023

NFL: Texans Nine-Game Win Streak Versus Jaguars Ends in 31-3 Loss

HOUSTON (Florida Sports Wire) - Jacksonville defeated the Texans 31-3, winning their first game against Houston since 2017.

It marked the Jaguars fourth straight victory and third straight victory on the road. It marked the first time since 2017 that the Jaguars have won three straight games on the road.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 17 of 21 passes for 152 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter. C.J. Beathard finished out the game at QB.

“Overall, he did some good things. You know, led the football team. Obviously the one pick, him and Zay (Jones) kind of missed on that, and it's something we'll take a look at and fix, but I thought he did some good things. He was high with some throws early, but settled in,. said Jacksonville Head Coach about Lawrence,

Snoop Conner rushed for 17 yards on five attempts and the first touchdown of his career. Mycal Hasty scored five-yard touchdown run on the Jaguars opening drive.

Travis Etienne Jr. rushed for 108 yards on nine attempts, including a 62-yard rushing touchdown that surpassed Hasty’s 61-yard touchdown run from Week 6 for the team’s longest rush of the season. This marks the longest rush of Etienne Jr.’s career.

“On that run I saw great blocking. Not only by the line but by Christian (Kirk) and Zay (Jones) I believe," noted Pederson. " They did an outstanding job today in the run game and gave him the ability to spring free and get in the end zone. But that's what Travis (Etienne Jr.) can do."

The Jaguars' Riley Patterson connected on a career-long 53-yard field goal.

The Jaguars built a 28-0 lead in the third quarter. The team’s +56-point differential in the third quarter
is the best in the NFL.

Davis Mills completed 22-of-40 passes for 202 yards, no touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 33 yards. Jeff Driskel was 3-for-4 for nine yards. Brandin Cooks led the receivers with four catches for 39 yards.

Josh Allen's strip sack on Mills ended in a 12-yard scoop-and-score by cornerbackTyson Campbell.

"First off, I think we probably need to give the Jaguars credit," Houston Head Coach Lovie Smith said. "They've been playing outstanding ball. The pressure was good on their part today. Coverage was really good. So if you throw that back on us, I didn't think our protection was as good as it needs to be, and Davis (Mills) would be the first guy to tell you, whenever we're talking about passing game not being effective, it's about throwing and catching. We weren't able to do that today."

The Jaguars host the Tennesse Titans next weekend.

“You know, it should be electric. We're playing for the AFC South, and we need all our fans that can get there to get there. It's going to be a great atmosphere. Our guys will feed off of that energy, and it will be fun. It will be a fun one to coach and play in," Pederson added.

Jaguars Notes: WR Christian Kirk caught two passes for 21 yards, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the season, joining WR Keenan McCardell as the only Jaguars players to reach 1,000 receiving yards in their first season in Jacksonville. Kirk also set a new career high in receptions in a season....CB Tyson Campbell recorded three tackles (two solo) and one fumble recovery that he returned for the first touchdown of his career....TE Evan Engram caught one pass for 16 yards, setting a new single-season franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end, surpassing TE Kyle Brady’s 729 yards in 2000. Engram has 68 receptions for 739 yards and four TDs this season. Since Week 14, Engram leads all NFL tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards.