HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) - The Texans could not capitalize on their opportunity to take the AFC South lead from the Jacksonville Jaguars, losing 24-21 after a failed last-minute field goal attempt.
Houston trailed for much of Sunday's game, but had an opportunity to tie or take the lead on a final drive with 3:07 to go in the game. For some time, it looked like rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud might engineer another late game-winning drive.
The Texans tried a 58-yard field goal by Matt Ammendola to tie it with 34 seconds remaining. The kick was right down the middle, but fell just short, hitting off the goal post. Just two weeks ago, it was Ammendola who hit a game-winning 38-yard field goal at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Not this time, as the Jaguars were able to stave off the surging Texans, who had won three straight games prior to this meeting.
The Texans struggled all game in pass protection, as Stroud was force to move within and create from outside the pocket. He was sacked four times, the most since Week 2 when the Indianapolis Colts brought him down six times.
Stroud was still masterful, going 26-for-36 with 304 passing yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and 116 passer rating. On the other side, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was 23-for-38 with 364 passing yards, a touchdown, an interception and a 90.2 passer rating.
Lawrence's lone interception was to Texans second-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who recorded his second pick in as many weeks and his second career interception against Lawrence.
The Texans fall to 6-5 on the season with the loss. Since Indianapolis Colts, also now 6-5, beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the Texans fell out of their wild card spot.
Next week, the Texans host the Denver Broncos (5-5).