Instant analysis: Texans QB C.J. Stroud plays hero in Week 4 win over Jaguars

The Houston Texans improved to 3-1 thanks to a game-winning touchdown drive guided by C.J. Stroud.

It’s best not to let C.J. Stroud get hot.

You won’t like him when he’s burning opponents on every other snap.

One week after coughing up two interceptions in a road loss against the Minnesota Vikings, the Houston Texans second-year quarterback connected for two touchdowns, including a game-winning 1-yard pass to Dare Ogunbowale with 18 seconds left to secure a 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Houston’s defense allowed only one touchdown and forced three punts in the second half to give the offense a chance.

Stroud, who threw for 345 yards, led a nine-play, 69-yard drive to give Houston (3-1, 2-0 AFC South) its only points and survive a scare by the winless Jaguars (0-4 0-1 South). A final heave and a couple of laterals led to a stop at the 1-yard line to ice the game.

The offense struggled most of the day outside of Nico Collins. Without Tank Dell, Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, Houston was limited to several explosive playmakers.

Collins, however, was up for the task. He finished with a franchise-record 12 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown. The fourth-year pro is currently on pace for over 2,000 yards, 115 catches and a touchdown.

The defense is the real story of Sunday’s showdown en route to a 2-0 start in front of the hometown crowd. After a 2-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to Brian Thomas Jr., Houston responded without defensive back Jimmie Ward.

Jacksonville had chances to score after averaging 6.6 yards per run. But during the fourth quarter, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson elected to turn away from the ground game and into the air.

Lawrence’s third-down pass was knocked away by Derek Stingley Jr. Another pass intended for Gabe Davis was batted out of bounds in the end zone during the third quarter.

Momentum shifted in favor of Houston on the opening drive of the fourth quarter. At the 1-yard line, Lawrence kept the ball on a QB-design run and was swarmed by a sea of Steel Blue jerseys.

Stefon Diggs recorded his first career rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7 with seven minutes left in the first quarter. He finished with five catches for 69 yards.

Cam Akers, who once again filled the starting role in place of Mixon, recorded a season-high 51 yards on 13 carries and averaged 4.1 yards per snap.

Ogunbowale finished with 54 total yards of offense.

The Texans welcome Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to NRG Stadium next Sunday for what could be a future playoff matchup.