OVERALL
After three consecutive impressive performances, including a victory last week at Tennessee, the Texans produced their worst effort of the season, resulting in a 28-point loss, their most decisive defeat of the season and their worst since December of last season when they lost by 31 at Indianapolis.
Overall, it was their worst performance of the season against a team that had nothing to play for.
Grade: F-minus
Quarterbacks
Davis Mills led the Texans in rushing with 33 yards on four carries. Unfortunately, he was mostly terrible throwing the ball. He threw into coverage and launched passes over receivers running open down the sideline.
Mills finished 22-of-40 for 202 yards without a touchdown or interception. He was sacked once and compiled a 69.0 rating.
The sack caused him to fumble, which cornerback Tyson Campbell returned for a touchdown. Jeff Driskel connected on 3-of-4 for 9 yards. Overall, it was a terrible performance by the quarterbacks.
Grade: F-minus
Running backs
One of the league’s worst running games was horrendous. Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman combined for 14 carries and 40 yards. The backs contributed 11 catches for 41 yards. The Texans finished with 84 yards on 21 carries, but quarterbacks produced 40 of the yards rushing.
Grade: F
Wide receivers
Davis Mills wasted opportunities to have long completions down the left sideline when he overthrew open receivers. Phillip Dorsett dropped a pass at the Jacksonville 5-yard line that would have given the Texans a first down.
Brandin Cooks had a team-high four catches for 39 yards. Overall, the receivers combined for 12 receptions and 86 yards.
Grade: F
Tight ends
Three tight ends had catches. O.J. Howard’s one catch was good for 26 yards. Jordan Akins had two receptions for 38 yards, including a 29-yard gain. Brevin Jordan had one for 20.
That’s three big plays for the tight ends to none for the wide receivers.
Grade: C-plus
Offensive line
Pass protection hasn’t been an issue for the linemen. They surrendered one sack.
After Dare Ogunbowale’s carries of 9 and 7 yards on the first series, the run blocking was atrocious. The other 19 carries netted 68 yards, 3.5 a carry. The linemen couldn’t move the pile in short-yardage situations.
Grade: F-plus
Defensive line
Ogbo Okoronkwo continued his impressive performance with his fifth sack in six games. Jerry Hughes ended his five-game drought with his ninth sack.
The linemen had eight tackles for loss, including two each by Okoronkwo and Kurt Hinish. Subtract Travis Etienne’s 62-yard touchdown run, and the Jaguars closed with 107 yards on 28 carries, a 3.8-yard average.
Grade: B
Linebackers
The linebackers didn’t make a lot of tackles, but they did well in coverage. Christian Kirksey had six tackles, most among the linebackers. Christian Harris added four.
Grade: C
Secondary
The Texans didn’t allow a touchdown pass.
Jalen Pitre and Desmond King II had interceptions. Before he was pulled, Trevor Lawrence didn’t throw a touchdown pass and finished with a 77.0 rating.
Pitre, who has five interceptions, finished with a game-high 13 tackles, giving him 139, second in team history for rookies behind DeMeco Ryans’ 156 in 2006.
Grade: B-plus
Special teams
Ka’imi Fairbairn continued his terrific season with a 56-yard field goal that produced the Texans’ only points. He’s made 18 consecutive field goals. He’s 6-of-6 from the 50 and beyond.
On his six punts, Cam Johnston had a 45.7 net and a 39.7 gross with two inside the 20.
Returns were splendid. Tremon Smith averaged 24.8 yards on kickoff returns and Desmond King II 16 yards on punt returns. Coverage was solid, as always.
Grade: B
Coaching
Lovie Smith and his assistants didn’t have the players ready to play against a team the Texans had beaten nine consecutive times.
Jacksonville had nothing to play for except momentum. Pep Hamilton’s offense was dreadful. Smith’s defense wasn’t as bad as the score and statistics indicated.
Grade: F-minus
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes three times a week and does three Houtopia Podcasts a week for SportsRadio610. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com.