Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 49-yard field goal as time expired on Sunday in London to lift the Houston Texans to a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The victory marked the second straight win for the Texans (2-4), who began the year with four consecutive losses before rebounding in their AFC South matchup, Bleacher Report noted. The defeat snapped a three-game winning streak for Jacksonville (4-2), leaving each of the last five meetings between the divisional opponents decided by a single score, according to CBS Sports.
Quarterbacks duel across the Atlantic
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud and Jacksonville passer Trevor Lawrence combined for seven touchdown passes, establishing a new record for the most passing scores in an international game, CBS Sports reported. Stroud completed 24 of 34 throws for 312 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Lawrence countered with 306 yards, four passing scores and one interception while completing 24 of 41 passes.
The Texans took an early lead following a 42-yard reception by wide receiver Nico Collins, which set up a touchdown pass from Stroud to tight end Foster Moreau. Jacksonville appeared to answer when running back Bhayshul Tuten broke free for an apparent touchdown run, but a holding penalty nullified the play before Texans safety Calen Bullock intercepted Lawrence in the end zone, CBS Sports reported. However, Tuten recovered to haul in two receiving touchdowns before the break. Moreau grabbed a second touchdown pass in the final seconds of the second quarter, giving Houston a 17-14 advantage at halftime.
Momentum swung back and forth after the break. Stroud found Jaylin Noel for a 13-yard touchdown pass to expand the Houston advantage, but Lawrence responded with a one-yard touchdown strike to rookie tight end Nate Boerkircher, who hauled in the pass with one hand. Houston answered back with a 25-yard touchdown run by Jawhar Jordan.
Hunter makes history in thrilling finish
Jacksonville’s Travis Hunter delivered a historic two-way performance down the stretch. Hunter caught four passes for 59 yards on offense, including a seven-yard touchdown strike from Lawrence. Later, with the Texans driving toward what looked like a decisive score in the closing minutes, Hunter intercepted Stroud in the end zone, Bleacher Report reported.
According to CBS Sports, Hunter became just the fourth player since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to record both a touchdown reception and an interception in the same game, joining Brian Dawkins, Keyshawn Johnson and Roy Green.
Hunter’s interception gave Jacksonville life, leading to a 60-yard field goal from kicker Cam Little on fourth-and-4 from Houston’s 42-yard line to tie the game at 31 with 1:55 remaining. The kick was Little’s third career field goal from at least 60 yards, matching the third-highest total in league history, according to CBS Sports.
Harrison debuts as Texans push forward
Leaving nearly two minutes on the clock proved costly for the Jaguars under head coach Liam Coen. Stroud guided the Texans on a seven-play, 36-yard drive that included a crucial completion to Woody Marks, clearing the way for Fairbairn’s game-winning boot at the final whistle.
The contest also marked the debut of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in a Texans uniform following a trade from the Arizona Cardinals, Bleacher Report reported. On the defensive side, Houston lost Reed Blankenship to an injury during the contest.
The Jaguars now head into their bye week looking to regroup after the narrow defeat, while the Texans prepare to face the New York Giants in their next outing.
