Jaguars Break the Curse 17-10 in Defensive Showdown Against Texans

In a tense and physical Week 3 NFL divisional matchup on September 21, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Houston Texans 17-10 at EverBank Stadium, snapping a 12-game winning streak for the Texans in the last 14 AFC South meetings. This was the Jaguars' first home win against Houston since 2017. The Jaguars (2-1) bounce back from a mixed start, while the Texans (0-3) continue their disappointing season despite a tough schedule.

Game Summary:

First Quarter: Jacksonville opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey for a 3-0 lead. Houston quickly tied it with a 45-yard field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn.

Second Quarter: The Jaguars took the lead with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Travis Etienne, followed by a successful extra point for a 10-3 halftime lead.

Third Quarter: A 28-yard field goal by Fairbairn brought the Texans within 10-6, but Jacksonville responded with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Etienne, extending their lead to 17-6.

Fourth Quarter: Houston fought back with an 8-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins, cutting the deficit to 17-10. However, a forced fumble by Tyson Campbell on Collins, recovered by Devin Lloyd with 3:58 remaining, sealed the victory for the Jaguars, who then ran out the clock.

Key Statistics: Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence completed 17 of 30 passes for 161 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, including a 46-yard completion to Brian Thomas Jr. Travis Etienne rushed for 88 yards and 2 TDs. The defense forced 2 key turnovers. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud completed 18 of 26 passes for 100 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Nico Collins led the receiving corps with five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown, but his fumble proved crucial. The Texans' ground game managed only 65 yards.

Game-changing moments:
Collins' fumble in the fourth quarter was a turning point, allowing Jacksonville to execute a seven-play drive that ate up valuable clock.
The Jaguars' defense, led by Campbell and Lloyd, forced key turnovers and held Houston to just 240 total yards in a low-scoring game.
Etienne's two rushing touchdowns exploited a Texans offensive line weakened by injuries, while Lawrence avoided mistakes after a slow start.

This victory boosts the Jaguars' standing in the AFC South, with their next challenge coming against the 49ers. The Texans, now 0-3, face Tennessee at home, where the pressure on Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans will only intensify as they struggle to get their season off to a winning start.