Jaguars look lifeless in 37-17 loss to Houston Texans. Here are our takeaways.
JACKSONVILLE — It was Groundhog Day for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) with nothing going their way through four quarters of the contest in the team's 37-17 loss to the Houston Texans (1-2).
Reminiscent of their struggles from a season ago, the Jaguars never looked in control of the game Sunday, resulting in their fifth-straight loss to the Texans in Jacksonville. That dates back to the 2018 season.
Jacksonville's offense failed to get much going through the air, passing for just 288 total yards. Trevor Lawrence finished 27 of 40 passes for 279 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Jacksonville finished the day with 404 net yards, including 116 rushing yards. The Jaguars scored two touchdowns, one from rookie running back Tank Bigsby and the other on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk.
The Jaguars were shut out in the first half after missing a field goal, having one blocked, punting twice and fumbling once.
There wasn't enough Jacksonville could do in the second half, netting just 17 points, including two touchdowns and a field goal. The Jaguars tossed an interception and turned the ball over on downs, too.
Jacksonville did improve its third-down conversion rate slightly, converting five out of 13 of their third downs Sunday.
Game recap: Jaguars fail to show up, lose 37-17 to Texans
The Jaguars entered Sunday's matchup against the Texans down a couple of players, including starting wideout Zay Jones in addition to those players still making their way back from injury including defensive linemen DaVon Hamilton and Dawuane Smoot.
Prior to the game, Jacksonville elevated veteran receiver Jacob Harris from the team's practice squad to the active roster. Rookie wideouts Elijah Cooks and Parker Washington were deemed inactive for a third-straight week along with rookie safety Antonio Johnson (hamstring) and running back JaMycal Hasty.
Jaguars' second-half special teams gaffe leads to Texans touchdown return
Just when it looked like the Jaguars would get a better hold of the game midway through the third quarter, the Texans shut down their run quickly, though.
After the Jaguars cut the Texans lead to 17-10, placekicker Brandon McManus was short on the kickoff, with the ball landing at the 10.
Texans fullback Andrew Beck fielded the kick, initially escaping a trio of Jaguars defenders, including safety Daniel Thomas, linebacker Caleb Johnson and receiver Jacob Harris toward the right sideline.
Harris had a second shot at tackling him, while RB D'Ernest Johnson and McManus also couldn't bring in the fullback en route to an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Jaguars' report card: Offense, defense, special teams, coaching don't make the grade
According to NFL Research, Beck (255) is the heaviest player with a kick return TD of at least 50 yards in NFL history.
The last kick-off return for a touchdown against the Jaguars came in a Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets. Receiver Braxton Barrios returned the kick 102 yards. The Jaguars lost 26-21.
On the ensuing offensive possession, Lawrence tossed an ill-advised interception to Texans linebacker Blake Cashman. The interception led to a 26-yard field goal by Houston, giving them a 27-10 lead in the fourth quarter.
Jaguars' first-half offense marred by blocked field goal, fumble
Jacksonville continued its offensive struggles that plagued the team through the first two weeks of the season during the first half of action against the Texans.
The Jaguars converted just one out of six of their third downs and netted just 158 yards of offense and were shut out through the entire first half.
Jacksonville missed a 48-yard field goal to start the game. Their following four drives went as follows: punt, blocked field goal, punt and a fumble.
Jacksonville's prized acquisition, receiver Calvin Ridley, finished the first half with two catches for 19 yards on six targets. He also dropped two passes and had two pre-snap penalties (false starts) during the first half.
By the end of the first half, Jacksonville had gone 16 straight drives without scoring a touchdown.
The only positives of the first half for the Jaguars' offense came from third-year RB Travis Etienne, who accounted for 13 carries for 52 yards on the ground and two catches for 25 yards.
Houston strikes first following 46-yard pass from C.J. Stroud to Tank Dell
The Texans didn't take long to get points on the board Sunday.
During the team's second drive of the game after a missed field-goal kick by Jacksonville, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud hit streaking rookie WR Tank Dell down the middle of the field for 46 yards to the Jacksonville two-yard line.
Two players later, Texans running back Dameon Pierce pushed his way into the end zone for his first touchdown of the year, putting Houston up 7-0 early during the first quarter.
Stroud finished the day 20 of 30 for 280 yards and two touchdowns.
Will Anderson blocks field goal to keep Jaguars off the board early
With 11:51 remaining in the second quarter, Jacksonville looked to get their first points on the board via a 51-yard field goal, but the attempt was blocked by Texans rookie DE Will Anderson, who was selected with the third-overall pick in this year's draft.
The block eventually turned into another Texans touchdown on the ensuing drive, a four-yard pass from Stroud to tight end Brevin Jordan. The Texans led 14-0 with 7:27 remaining in the first half.
Anton Harrison's knee injury looms large
With 3:47 remaining in the third quarter, Jaguars rookie right tackle Anton Harrison remained on the ground after being rolled up on a three-yard carry by Etienne.
Harrison stayed down on the ground for several moments before being assisted by trainers to the sideline.
The Jaguars later ruled Harrison's return as questionable. He did not return for the remainder of the contest.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.
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