If it comes down to kicking, the Houston Texans should feel good in the final seconds.
With a game-sealing drive in the fourth quarter, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud did everything possible to set up Ka'imi Fairbairn in range for a 49-yard game-winning field goal, securing the 34-31 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on the slippery grass at Wembley Stadium.
Houston, which has now won back-to-back games, improves to 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the AFC South.
“His mindset was 'Hey, I got you Coach, don’t worry about it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Fairbairn. “When a player tells me that, that just gives me the confidence that I need. He responded in an outstanding way.”
The NFL's most clutch kicker was only a footnote in the Texans' promising
outing across the pond. Stroud, who finally threw his first interception after 209 pass attempts, drove down the field with ease, completing 70.6 percent for his passes for 312 yards and three touchdown passes, including two to Foster Moreau in the red zone.
Second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel gave reason as to why his role should expand in the future, totaling his first 100-yard career outing. The icing on top of the cake? A 13-yard touchdown in the third quarter to extend Houston's lead to 10.
But the defense still allowed far too many explosives. Following an early interception to Calen Bullock, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence locked in, throwing for 306 yards and four touchdown passes, including one to Travis Hunter and two to running back Bhayshul Tuten. Perhaps the play of the afternoon came when second-round pick Nate Boerkircher made a one-handed snag to bring Jacksonville within three.
But the Texans responded on the ensuing drive following a pass interference penalty on Nico Collins. Jawhar Jordan, who was called up from the practice squad in place of the injured David Montgomery, answered with a 25-yard touchdown run to bring the lead back to 10.
The Texans also welcomed in new wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. following his trade from the Arizona Cardinals. Reunited with his former Ohio State quarterback, Harrison caught three passes for 34 yards, including an 18-yard gain that gave the Texans a first down.
Running back Woody had 15 carries for 56 yards, becoming the first running back to break 40 yards against the No. 1 run defense in the NFL. Houston rushed for 114 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per attempt, becoming the first team to rush for over 100 yards against the Jaguars.
Houston returns home next Sunday for a matchup with the New York Giants ahead of the bye week. While they can't get back to .500, a 3-4 record before November might be exactly the way to get back on track.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Recap: Texans respond late, set up game-winning Ka'imi Faiirbairn FG in win over Jaguars
