Sometimes, a team needs one last heave to the end zone.
That was the case for the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
Behind a 345-yard passing performance from C.J. Stroud, the Texans advanced to 3-1 with a 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stroud’s 1-yard touchdown pass to running back Dare Ogunbowale with 18 seconds left gave Houston the four-point swing.
Nico Collins remained the go-to target, hauling a season-high 12 passes for 151 yards and a score. His 489 receiving yards this season have surpassed DeAndre Hopkins for the most yards by a Texans receiver in their first four games.
“I feel like there’s always room for improvement on your game,” Collins said. “My mindset, man, don’t get too comfortable. Continue to build, continue to take care of my body, continue to be available for the team and … all the pieces will fall into place.”
The defense stepped up after allowing an 8-yard touchdown reception by Christian Kirk with six minutes left in the third. Jacksonville nearly put the game away after Tank Bigsby broke free for a 58-yard run, but Eric Murray and Azeez Al-Shaair made a stop on fourth down at the 1-yard line.
After another drive of offensive miscues, Jacksonville had a second chance to ice the game. Lawrence tried to funnel a pass to rookie Brian Thomas Jr. on third down, but Derek Stingley Jr. nearly came away with the interception.
Stroud, who finished 27-of-40 passing, went 5-of-5 on the final drive for 45 yards and the eventual score.
Here are the snap counts for every player that contributed to the Texans’ Week 3 loss.
https://twitter.com/Cody_Stoots/status/1840715326905790715/photo/1
Offensive snaps: 75
Defensive snaps: 58
Special teams snaps: 14
Laremy Tunsil left the game due to an ankle injury midway through the second quarter, leading to 21 snaps from rookie Blake Fisher. The second-round pick also lined up as an extra body on a run design in the second quarter.
Without Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, Cam Akers was expected to take over as the new lead back. That wasn’t the case since Ogunbowale totaled 29 reps as the No. 2 option.
Akers, who rushed for a season-high 53 yards on 13 carries, played 30 snaps.
Safety Calen Bullock played 100 percent of the reps (58 snaps) on defense. Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jalen Pitre also played 58 snaps in Sunday’s win.
The Texans return to NRG Stadium for their first divisional matchup of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.