Jaguars vs. Texans recap: Stars, keys to the game, analysis of Week 3 win

The turning point

We could point to the Trevor Lawrence to Brian Thomas Jr. 46-yard catch and run as the turning point. It was big as it set up the go-ahead touchdown. However, I’ll go a few plays back and choose the Tyson Campbell forced fumble as the turning point in this one. Not only did it give the ball back to the offense, but it took points off the board for Houston with the Texans in field goal range.

Keys to the game

Jaguars make crucial plays late: A week ago, the plays that the Jaguars didn’t make late ended up haunting them in their loss to the Bengals. This week, Jacksonville made those key plays on both sides of the ball. There was Campbell’s forced fumble, the Lawrence to Thomas catch and run, and the interception to end the game by Antonio Johnson.

Defense keeps the offense in this one: It was tough sledding for the Jaguars’ offense, but the defense not only kept them in the game but also allowed Jacksonville to have the lead for much of the game. Houston turned the ball over three times and averaged just 4.6 yards per play.

Red zone success: Not only did the Jaguars have more red zone trips than Houston, winning that battle 3-to-1, but they were more efficient, converting two of their attempts to touchdowns, while the Texans were 0-for-1. The outcome of this game changes if that key battle ends differently.

It was over when…

…Antonio Johnson made the diving interception late. Facing a 3rd-and-1 from inside the Jaguars’ 30-yard line, CJ Stroud pushed the ball towards the end zone, but it was picked off after Josh Hines-Allen got his arm extended to impact the throw.

Stars of the game

CB Tyson Campbell: Again, that forced fumble was huge in taking points off the board and giving it back to the offense.

DE Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker: Both of the Jaguars’ star pass rushers were excellent. According to PFF’s early numbers, the duo combined for 11 pressures, while Hines-Allen impacted that final interception. Also, not showing up on the stat sheet are the penalties Hines-Allen drew from Houston blockers.

Jaguars’ offensive line: Moving the ball in the run game wasn’t easy in this one, but against a very good Houston pass rush, headlined by Will Anderson, the Jaguars’ offensive line kept Lawrence clean, allowing just two sacks and five quarterback hits on 40 pass attempts.

Brenton Strange: On a day where the passing attack wasn’t very efficient, Strange provided a reliable presence, catching 6-of-7 passes for a team-high 61 yards.

Post-game quote

“We’re doing it for each other,” Lawrence said, via Jaguars.com. “You can see that happening and I think as a team we feel that. Being able to win games that aren’t pretty, that’s something that to be a really good team you have to do – and we did that today.

“To be able to win games when you don’t play your best is important, so that was a big step for us.”