The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered a stunning collapse, blowing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead to lose 36-29 to the Houston Texans in an NFL game on Sunday. Backup quarterback Davis Mills engineered the remarkable comeback for the Texans, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 31 seconds left in a game that marked the largest blown lead in Jaguars franchise history.
The Jaguars appeared firmly in control, holding a 29-10 advantage early in the final period after building their lead through a combination of offensive efficiency and special teams play. Parker Washington returned a punt for a touchdown in the second quarter, and the defense had initially contained the Texans’ offense, limiting their scoring opportunities through the first three quarters. Trevor Lawrence connected with Washington for a 7-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and the team seemed poised to complete a season sweep of their division rivals for the first time since 2017.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the fourth quarter as Mills, filling in for the injured C.J. Stroud, began to find his rhythm. He threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins and followed with a successful two-point conversion to narrow the gap to 29-18. The Texans’ defense, which ranks among the league’s best, then forced a quick three-and-out, giving their offense another opportunity to close the deficit further.
Mills capitalized on the next drive, finding tight end Dalton Schultz for a 7-yard touchdown. Although the two-point attempt failed, the score brought Houston within 29-24 with over seven minutes remaining. The Jaguars’ offense continued to struggle, managing only 11 total yards in the fourth quarter and failing to sustain drives, while the Texans piled up 167 yards in the final period. Jacksonville’s inability to move the ball or control the clock proved costly as the game slipped away.
The decisive series began with Houston pinned at its own 7-yard line. Mills methodically moved the team downfield in a 14-play, 80-yard drive, converting a critical third down with a 20-yard completion to Schultz. A pass interference penalty on Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones placed the ball at the 2-yard line, but two false start penalties pushed the Texans back. Facing third-and-14, Mills scrambled 14 yards for the touchdown, giving Houston a 30-29 lead and capping the rally.
On the ensuing possession, Lawrence was sacked by Will Anderson Jr., fumbling the ball, which Sheldon Rankins recovered and returned 32 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory. Jaguars coach Liam Coen expressed disbelief at the collapse, highlighting the team’s inability to sustain the lead and pointing to persistent pass-rush issues as a key factor. The defense failed to pressure Mills effectively in the fourth quarter, recording no sacks or pressures despite blitzing and four-man rushes.
The loss dropped the Jaguars to 5-4 on the season, while the Texans improved to 4-5. It was the first time in franchise history that Jacksonville had blown a 19-point lead, previously holding a perfect 53-0 record in such situations. Players emphasized the need to learn from the defeat and focus on upcoming games, with Lawrence vowing to use the frustration as motivation for improvement. The collapse underscores the challenges of maintaining leads in the NFL and sets up a critical week of preparation for both teams as they navigate the remainder of the season.
