Texans Escape London With Dramatic Win Over Jaguars for Second Straight Victory

After a slow start eerily similar to last season, the Houston Texans have finally found some momentum as of late.

Houston escaped in dramatic fashion on Sunday, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 at Wembley Stadium in London on a 49-yard walk-off field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn in the final seconds.

After starting the season 0-4, the Texans have now won two straight to improve to 2-4. And Sunday’s victory was extremely important if Houston is going to climb back into the divisional standings and make the playoffs again, just like last year.

C.J. Stroud led the way in one of Houston’s most impressive offensive performances of the season. The fourth-year quarterback completed 24 of 34 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Although he did throw an interception, the aggressiveness through the air is something the Texans have needed to lean into more, even at the expense of tight-window throws and potential turnovers.

Stroud opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown pass to Foster Moreau in the first quarter, but Jacksonville responded with two touchdowns in the second. It was a back-and-forth affair that ultimately featured plenty of offense and not much defense, which was interesting considering both teams entered the season with high expectations on that side of the ball.

Houston led 17-14 at halftime after another Stroud touchdown pass to Moreau, then extended its advantage with a 13-yard touchdown to Jaylin Noel in the third quarter. Noel finished with 107 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Jawhar Jordan added a 25-yard rushing score to give the Texans a 31-21 lead entering the fourth.

But Trevor Lawrence kept the Jaguars in the game throughout the afternoon, throwing for 306 yards and four touchdowns. Travis Hunter was also a game-changer, catching a touchdown on offense before intercepting Stroud in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

And while the Texans led throughout the second half, it felt like they could never completely pull away. Jacksonville continued punching back, eventually tying the game at 31 apiece on a 60-yard field goal from Cam Little.

That gave Stroud one final opportunity, and he delivered. Houston moved into field goal range before Fairbairn drilled the game-winner as time expired.

This is the type of close game Houston couldn’t finish earlier in the season. Now, with consecutive victories and an important divisional win against one of the AFC South’s top teams, the Texans have something to build upon.

Houston will host the New York Giants next Sunday, with a real opportunity to win its third straight and move within one game of .500.