There were three one win teams in the AFC’s South Division. Now there are two.
Houston spoiled the Jaguars’ homecoming hopes 31-20 before more than 58,000 at EverBank Field Sunday. Most left after the Texans, trailing 14-10, scored three touchdowns in less than five minutes in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville joined Tennessee (1-4) in the AFC South as one win teams. Three other NFL teams, Kansas City, Detroit and Baltimore, also have only notched one victory so far this season. Sunday was the Jaguars’ fourth consecutive loss after a 1-1 start.
“It’s a very challenging time we’re going through right now,” the Jaguars’ head coach Gus Bradley said Monday.
Jaguars’ QB Blake Bortles was 23 of 53 for 336 yards, was sacked twice and threw three interceptions. Houston defensive back Andre Hal had two of them, He returned one 41 yards for the visitors’ final TD. It was the Bortles’ sixth career pick returned for a score.
Bradley told the media Sunday after the game that he thought the team was pressing, resulting in too many mistakes.
“They’ve got to fight through that,” Bradley said. “You cannot press and try to make plays happen. You’ve just got to let them come to you. You’ve got to go through your reads. You’ve got to trust your teachings, your preparation and go about it that way.”
Bortles threw a 29-yard TD pass to tight end Julius Thomas. It was Thomas’ second game and first touchdown in a Jaguars’ uniform. The former Denver Bronco caught seven passes for 78 yards.
The Jaguars’ final score came on Bortles’ 11-yard pass to wide receiver Allen Hurns. Allen Robinson’s six receptions were good for 86 yard, one for a TD, before being injured. Bryan Walters caught eight passes for 87 yards.
Bortles passed for a season-high 331 yards. He also ran for 37 yards on four carries. Jacksonville’s 394 yards of total offense was second best this season.
Houston QB Brian Hoyer was 24 of 36 for 293 yards and three TDs. One to running back Arian Foster. Foster ran 18 times for 53 yards.
“It’s huge to get a win on the road and especially against a division opponent,” Hoyer said. “It was a challenge today, it wasn’t always pretty but when it counted, we made the plays. It was a total team win, everyone doing their job.”
HOUSTON GAME NOTES: Jacksonville’s last two opponents Tampa Bay and Houston on Sunday have each scored more than 30 points... Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins finished with 10 catches for 148 yards and two TDs. He came into the game with as the NFL leader in receiving yardage... Jacksonville defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks had one tackle in his first return to action since the end of the 2014 season when he suffered a torn ACL... Jacksonville’s defense failed to cause a turnover and had one sack... Bradley dropped to 8-30 in three seasons... This is the fifth consecutive season that Jacksonville has begun with no more than one win in their first six games... The Jaguars have not won more than five games in a season since 2011... It was Jacksonville’s eighth loss in its last 10 meetings with the Texans.
UP NEXT - There’s a chance Tyrod Taylor could be back as Buffalo’s QB in Sunday’s game in London against the Jaguars. The Bills are 2-0 so far on the road, a win Sunday would be the first time the Bills (3-3) have started a season with three straight road wins since 1993. Jacksonville’s middle linebacker Paul Posluszny spent four seasons in Buffalo, backup offensive tackle Sam Young started four games over a two year stint and former backup quarterback Jeff Tuel is on the Jaguars practice squad. The Jaguars have a bye week following the London game.
