The Texans find momentum with a 23:20 win at the Jaguars before the bye

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Houston Texans have found some much-needed momentum ahead of their bye week – call it “Joe-mentum.”

Joe Mixon ran for 101 yards and a touchdown, Nico Collins caught eight passes for 119 yards and the Houston Texans beat Jacksonville 23-20 on Sunday after forcing quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of the game with a concussion.

The Texans (8-5) won for just the second time in five weeks and maintained their two-game lead in the AFC South.

“Yeah, it’s a win for us, a big win for us,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Now we need a break. It’s been a long time. …It’s now 13 weeks in a row. It’s been a long time and our guys, I think we felt that towards the end of the game. Our boys are gassed. Bye week comes at the perfect time for us.

Mixon looked like he had enough left in the tank.

He became the third player in NFL history to record at least 100 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown in six road games in the same season. He achieved this feat together with Tiki Barber from the New York Giants (2004) and Derrick Henry from Tennessee (2020). Mixon is the first to reach the mark in his first six away games of a season.

He carried 20 balls, no larger than his 8-yard gain on third-and-5 in the final minutes that moved the chains and sealed the win.

“Joe is an old-school running back,” Ryans said. “He’s the type of guy who wants it 30 times and he just gets better the more touches he gets. I’m really proud of him for knowing he was hurting and still pushing through. “He’s still getting yards even when they’re loading the box,” and still being able to find a way to get yards.

CJ Stroud completed 22 of 34 passes for 242 yards, with a 22-yard TD pass to Dalton Schultz early in the fourth quarter essentially iceing the game. It was Houston’s 12th win in the last 14 meetings with the Jaguars (2-10) and sixth straight in Jacksonville.

Schultz was the final tight end to light up the Jags, who have lost five straight and 15 of 18 possessions. He finished the game with five catches for 61 yards.

The game will be remembered for linebacker Azeez Al-Shair’s violent hit on Lawrence in the second quarter, which sparked a brawl on the sideline. Al-Shair hit Lawrence with an elbow as the defenseless quarterback slid to the ground after a 6-yard scramble.

Lawrence clenched both fists after the punch – movements consistent with the so-called “fencing response” that can often occur after a traumatic brain injury. He lay on the ground for several minutes as his teammates defended him.

Tight end Evan Engram and several others tackled Al-Shair, whose last seemingly cheap shot could result in a suspension.

“It was a dirty hit,” Engram said. “Of course, these goals are always questionable. … It just didn’t feel like a clean hit, so just go for my quarterback.”

Finally, Lawrence was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be transported from the field. He was not transported to a hospital for testing. However, he was quickly ruled out due to a concussion.

Mac Jones replaced Lawrence and threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He rallied the Jaguars from a 23-6 deficit in the fourth period, but didn’t get the ball back.

“Sports is very emotional, especially when something like this happens,” Jones said of the reaction to the Lawrence hit. “We definitely came together as a team and fought hard for Trevor. In the end we didn’t get it done, but I feel like the guys responded.”

Major injuries

Along with Lawrence, the Jaguars lost cornerback Tyson Campbell (hamstring) and safety Darnell Savage (ankle) to minor injuries.

Texas safety Jimmie Ward was evaluated for a concussion but was allowed to return. Safety Eric Murray left with a hand injury. Schultz injured his right shoulder but returned.

Mack moves on

The Jaguars lost their running backs coach during the game. Kennesaw State announced Jerry Mack as its second head coach in the fourth quarter. Mack coached the game and is expected to continue afterward.

“It’s a great opportunity for him to be a head coach,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “I just thank Jerry for what he’s done here. He really transformed the running back room and did some really good things for us. I wish him all the best.”

Next

The Texans receive a bye before hosting Miami on December 15th.

The Jaguars play another division opponent next Sunday in Tennessee.