A long field goal wasn't enough for the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) this time. The Houston Texans (2-4) defeated the Jaguars 34-31 at Wembley Stadium in London.
As the fourth quarter wound down, Jaguars kicker Cam Little lined up and nailed a 60-yard field goal to tie the game 31-31 with less than two minutes remaining.
At first glance, it looked like a second straight week of a comeback off their kicker's foot, but it was all for naught, as Jacksonville's defense couldn't hold off Houston's ensuing possession.
Instead, Houston won with a walk-off field goal. Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn made a 49-yarder to beat Jacksonville.
Jacksonville struggled to slow Houston's offense on Sunday, allowing Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to complete 24 of 34
passes for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. The Jaguars also allowed a 40-plus-yard rusher for the first time this season, giving up 56 yards to back Woody Marks and 43 yards to Jawhar Jordan.
Even a heroic late-game performance by dual-threat player Travis Hunter couldn't get Jacksonville over the hump.
Travis Hunter delivers touchdown on offense, interception on defense
While he hasn't been used on offense as much as fantasy football pundits would like, Jacksonville plans to use cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter against Houston. Hunter caught two passes for 45 yards through the first three quarters.
His second catch came as the third quarter ended, after multiple players missed a 26-yard catch-and-run, putting Jacksonville deep in Houston territory. Hunter followed that up with a seven-yard catch, which eventually led to his second-career touchdown, another seven-yard snag.
On that drive alone, Hunter totaled 40 yards.
On Houston's ensuing possession, the Texans were down the five-yard line when Stroud threw a pass to Xavier Hutchinson, but Hunter picked it off, giving the Jaguars an extra possession.
Nate Boerkircher makes memorable first-career touchdown catch
Down 24-14 with a few minutes left in the third quarter, the Jaguars cut Houston's lead to seven after rookie tight end Nate Boerkircher made an incredible one-handed touchdown catch.
The reception was Boerkircher's fifth of the season and his first career touchdown. Jacksonville drafted Boerkircher with the team's first selection, a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Boerkircher is typically used as a blocking tight end in head coach Liam Coen's scheme.
Jaguars offense struggles before finding footing vs. Texans
Jacksonville's offense looked off early against Houston. On the team's first drive, Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. dropped what would have been a first down on 2nd-and-7, leading to Jacksonville's first punt after gaining just one yard on third down.
On the team's ensuing series, Parker Washington dropped a pass, and a failed fourth-down attempt turned the ball over on downs. The turnover led to Houston's first score of the day, a six-yard pass from Stroud to tight end Foster Moreau, giving the Texans a 7-0 lead with about 5:13 left in the first quarter.
On Jacksonville's third possession, the team got down to the Houston three-yard line. Running back Bhayshul Tuten carried the ball into the end zone off the right edge. The play was called back due to a questionable holding call on tight end Brenton Strange.
After a Lawrence scramble, the Jaguars threw twice into the end zone, and Texans safety Calen Bullock picked off the second throw. The team snapped back to success on their fourth drive with an eight-play, 84-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard catch-and-run by Tuten to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:47 left in the first half.
Lawrence finished the first half completing 12 of 23 passes for 156 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Tuten had six carries for 21 yards and two catches for 29 yards, with two scores.
Lawrence finished the game completing 24 of 41 passes for 306 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.
C.J. Stroud looks elite vs. Jaguars defense
The Jaguars didn't give Stroud much time in the first half, leading to a 19:57 to 10:03 time of possession in Jacksonville's favor.
Despite that, Jacksonville trailed the Texans 17-14 at halftime. The Texans made the most of their five possessions, scoring on three and punting just twice. Houston scored on the first half's final true possession in just three plays, moving the ball 63 net yards.
WHAT A THROW FROM CJ STROUD.
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Stroud completed two passes on the drive, including a perfect 50-yard pass to receiver Jaylin Noel. Stroud capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Foster Moreau, the veteran's second touchdown catch of the day. Stroud completed 9 of 13 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
Stroud came out of halftime picking up where he left off. After the Jaguars essentially turned the ball over on a 12-man-on-the-field penalty on fourth down, gifting Houston a first down, Stroud capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Noel over veteran CB Jourdan Lewis.
The Texans finished with 426 total yards, including 114 rushing and 312 passing.
Up next: Jaguars enter bye week
The Jaguars return to Jacksonville for their Week 7 bye before facing the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 8.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on BlueskyatDemetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars unable to complete comeback, lose 34-31 to Texans in London
