The Houston Texanslooked like they were out of the playoff picture after their 0-4 start.
But now they have won their past two games, with their most recent victory coming against the Jacksonville Jaguars on a walkoff field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn.
It started out slow on the opening drive with a three-and-out. However, Houston got things going on the second drive with a 42-yard catch by Nico Collins to set up the touchdown to tight end Foster Moreau. He finished the day with two touchdowns after not scoring a single touchdown all of last season.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud also had a really good game despite throwing his first interception of the season. He finished the game with 312 passing yards, three touchdowns and completed over 70 percent
of his passes. Stroud also distributed the ball well, completing a catch to 10 different players, including Houston’s newly acquired receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Here are the studs and duds from Houston’s second straight win, including wide receiver Jaylin Noel, who had his first 100-yard game and All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson, who was invisible in this matchup.
Stud: WR Jaylin Noel
With all of the talk about Marvin Harrison Jr. making his debut for the Houston Texans, Noel made headlines with four receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. It was his first career game with at least 100 receiving yards. The Jaguars were able to contain the Texans’ top receiver, Nico Collins, for the most part.
So, they needed someone else to step up. Noel did.
Dud: DE Will Anderson Jr.
After playing like a human wrecking ball in the first five games of the season, I cannot say I ever heard his name in this game. He finished the day with one tackle and a quarterback hit.
Houston could have used some pressure on the defensive line at points in this game and that is usually when Anderson is at his best. Anderson does not need to have multiple sacks in every game, but he could have had a few more tackles.
Stud: QB C.J. Stroud
The red zone interception was unfortunate, but Stroud had an amazing game otherwise with three touchdowns and over 300 yards passing. He passes were on the money throughout the entire game and he spread the ball around to keep the Jaguars’ defense on edge. Stroud also flashed some chemistry with Harrison Jr on a few catches.
That connection could turn out to be electric for the Texans later in the year. If anyone had any questions about Stroud’s capabilities going into this game or about whether he should be the franchise quarterback, those questions were answered in this game.
Dud: DE Jadeveon Clowney
If you were to look at the stat line for the Texans’ defense, it would appear Jadeveon Clowney did not play in this game. However, he was in the game. He just did not do anything. Clowney did not have a sack or a quarterback hit or even a tackle. Houston only paid him $5.5 million, but they still expected more than this.
Stud: S Calen Bullock
His interception may not have turned into any points, but it killed some momentum for the Jaguars, especially after they had a touchdown on that drive that was nullified by a penalty. It was also his first interception of the season, which is great to see, particularly with how the year started for this defense.
Dud: LB Henry To’o To’o
Maybe he came back a game too early, but linebacker Henry To’o To’o did not look the same in this game. His stats were not bad with six total tackles, three solo tackles and a tackle for loss. But in coverage, To’o To’o was not the same and it hurt Houston at times throughout this game. Hopefully he will be back to form next week for the Texans’ game against the New York Giants.
Stud: K Ka’imi Fairbairn
How could the player who made the game-winning field goal not be a stud? Fairbairn made both of his field goal attempts and four extra points, accounting for a total of 10 points in this game. Houston has one of the best kickers in the NFL and that will continue to be a weapon for them throughout this season.
Stud: WR Marvin Harrison Jr
He had less than a week to learn Houston’s playbook and start to get acclimated in this offense. Even so, he had three receptions for 34 yards. Harrison Jr’s chemistry with Stroud from their days together at Ohio State was already on display today. Imagine how Harrison Jr could play down the stretch for the Texans, especially now that Houston is back in the playoff picture.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Studs and duds from Houston’s 34-31 win against the Jaguars
