Sunday afternoon, the NFL world was witness to one of the greatest comebacks of this season in the form of the Houston Texans overcoming a 19-point deficit at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 36-29 jaw-dropper of a victory. It was the second largest in franchise history and their largest home comeback ever.

Leading the way was Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills (6-19-1), who finished 27-of-45 (60%) for 292 yards,  two passing touchdowns and an interception. He also had the de facto game winning score with 31 seconds left in the 4th quarter, running for a 14-yard score on third-and-goal after two False Start penalties backed them up from the goal line. 

At 3-5 and without a litany of key Texans players, Mills was tasked with not only leading a depleted team, but also navigating a unit who's been searching for an offensive identity all season long. 

They had scored just 15 points in last week's game against Denver and had eclipsed 20+ points in only one of their last three contests (26 vs. the 49ers, week eight).

Offensive Explosion

Reasons include issues like Texans receiver Nico Collins only having one 100+ yard game this season (also against the Jaguars, week three), tight end Dalton Schultz not having scored a single touchdown yet this year and Houston still not getting proficient enough run production from both Nick Chubb and Woody Marks. 

None of that mattered to Mills, who lit a fire under offensive coordinator Nick Caley's offense by way of playing the best and most complete game of his NFL life when his team needed him the most. 

Whether it was spreading the ball out to seven different receivers, overcoming multiple sacks, or putting the team on his back on red zone rushing attempts, Mills pulled every correct lever en route to arguably the most unlikely of wins in the NFL this year. 

The specifics of Mill's historic accomplishments on the day included:

• Feeding Collins to the tune of a season high 136 yards on seven receptions
• Completing seven passes to Schultz, including his first receiving score of his season
• Completing five passes to Jayden Higgins, including his third receiving touchdown
• Overcoming a first quarter interception
• From the Texans seven yard line, leading a clutch 8-play, 80 yard go-ahead touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter
• Giving the Texans the 30-29 lead after a 14-yard scamper and two False Start penalties

In what was virtually a season defining game, Mills answered the call and passed the test with flying colors.

Mills Finally Validated

After Case Keenum was picked to start over him against the Titans in 2023 after a previous Stroud concussion, Mills went out yesterday and played like a man on a mission. He wanted to show that he can win games in the NFL and can be depended on to elevate the play of the teammates around him in spite of imperfect circumstances. He displayed that in spades yesterday. 

Mills is now 3-1 in his career against Jacksonville, including going 84/139 (60.4%), 842 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions and an 81.3 passer rating. 

With that level of performance, Mills has definitively solidified his place to start again next Sunday against the Tennessee Titans (1-8) in the event that the team decides to play things safe with Stroud's second career concussion. 

 If that's the case, Mills definitely now has the confidence and game film to more than validate trusting him at least one more time.