For the first time since 2018, the Houston Texans are off to an 0-3 start after a loss at Jacksonville. Despite a late 49-yard touchdown from Nico Collins that briefly tied the game, Houston’s offense failed to sustain drives and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Key turnovers and missed chances in the red zone defined a game in which the Texans looked disorganized and error-prone. Veteran players, usually reliable in high-pressure moments, contributed to mistakes that proved costly in the second half.
C.J. Stroud and the Houston offense had one final chance to force overtime, but a tipped pass by Josh Hines-Allen disrupted the drive, and Antonio Johnson’s red-zone stop sealed the win. Overall, Houston finished the game with under 300 yards of offense, a 30 percent success rate on third downs, and six three-and-out drives, highlighting the team’s ongoing struggles to move the ball consistently.
Top two takeaways from Texans' 17-10 loss to Jaguars:
Turnovers kill promising drives
Turnovers have been a recurring problem for the Texans, and Sunday was no exception. Houston surrendered three turnovers inside the 30-yard line in the second half, including a critical fumble by Nico Collins. Each turnover came at a pivotal moment when the offense was threatening to score, effectively ending drives that could have shifted momentum. These mistakes underline the Texans’ difficulty in protecting the football and finishing drives under pressure.
Even experienced players who typically make few errors weren’t immune. Collins’ fumble, in particular, was unforgivable given his veteran status and reputation for reliability. When combined with other miscues, it illustrates a team struggling not only with execution but also with the mental aspect of finishing critical plays in high-pressure situations.
Third-down woes and limited explosive plays
Houston’s inability to convert on third downs continues to plague the offense. The team converted just 4 of 14 opportunities, forcing multiple punts and three-and-outs. Rookie offensive tackle Tay Ersey also struggled to provide consistent protection, allowing six pressures, including the final one that disrupted Stroud’s last drive. Without sustained drives, the Texans struggled to control the clock or keep the Jaguars’ offense off the field.
Compounding the problem, Houston managed only two explosive plays all game: Collins’ 49-yard touchdown and Christian Kirk’s fourth-down conversion. Outside of these moments, the offense lacked big-play capability, failing to consistently stretch the field or threaten Jacksonville’s defense. This combination of inefficiency and lack of explosiveness continues to leave Houston searching for a functional offensive identity.
Up next for Houston: Sunday, September 28 vs. Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m. ET on CBS)
