Jaguars vs. Texans Week 12: Slay or Bomb

The Jaguars vs. Texans matchup was the most important one of the NFL’s week 12 slate. A showdown between two divisional rivals, with the winner being in control of their destiny when it comes to winning the AFC South. In that matchup, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars came out on top.

It was the biggest matchup all season, and the Jaguars delivered. I predicted a Jaguars victory and much of the sports world was leaning the other way. The media hype for the Texans was real and had taken over. But, the Jaguars came through and effectively took control of the AFC South.

With these types of wins, it’s easy to identify a couple of key contributors. Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, Brandon McManus, and Anton Harrison all were massive contributors to the Jaguars’ victory. If there was one blemish, it’s the lack of a run game with Travis Etienne Jr. But, the positives from the Jaguars vs. Texans matchup are more important to talk about. Let’s take a look at some of the players who slayed in the Jaguars vs. Texans game, and how they contributed to the biggest win of the 2023 season for the Jaguars.

Jaguars vs. Texans: Slay

Trevor Lawrence

In the most important matchup of the 2023 NFL season, Trevor Lawrence showed up. The Jaguars vs. Texans matchup was effectively for the chance to win the AFC South. A Jaguars win would put the Jaguars in the driver’s seat for the division, and with a chance at the one seed in the AFC. The Texans winning would give them the tiebreaker over the Jaguars and put them in position to match the Jaguars the rest of the season for a surprise Texans divisional win.

But, in a matchup featuring two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, Lawrence went home with the win. C.J. Stroud was incredible but came up short against Lawrence in a matchup that’ll turn heads for years to come (much to the dismay of Trevor Lawrence).

Lawrence in the win over the Texans threw for 364 yards and a touchdown on 23 completions on 38 attempts. Lawrence also contributed a touchdown on the ground for the game’s first touchdown. Also contributing to the Jaguars vs. Texans matchup going the Jaguars way was Lawrence executing a two-point play, which set things up later in the game and allowed the Jaguars to win.

The one knock on Lawrence’s day was an interception, but he was able to rebound and put together a huge touchdown drive. Even though he had one blemish, Lawrence still had a great day. He earned the second-highest offensive grade from PFF amongst the Jaguars players with an 80.3.

The Jaguars needed to win the Jaguars vs. Texans matchup if they wanted a chance to win the division. Trevor Lawrence rose to the occasion and led the Jaguars to a massive victory, one that gave the Jaguars a chance to fight for the one seed in the AFC, let alone win the AFC South division.

Brandon McManus

In a game where the Texans kicker missed the game-tying field goal, Brandon McManus was a huge contributor to the Jaguars’ win. McManus got the scoring started, nailing a 40-yard field goal in the first quarter. Then in the second quarter, McManus hit another field goal, this time from 48 yards, to give the Jaguars a 13-7 lead over the Texans.

In the third quarter, McManus hit a 53-yard field goal to put the Jaguars up 24 to 14, making it a two-possession lead. With both kickers missing field goals in the fourth quarter, McManus hitting the majority of his kicks was the difference.

McManus’ kicking counterpart, Matt Amendola, missed a field goal near the end of the first half, which would wind up being a huge miss for the Texans. But, McManus missed a field goal of his own as well, as he went wide right on a 55-yarder in the fourth quarter.

While McManus missed a kick, he still is deserving of a slay in the Jaguars vs. Texans game. His kicking stability was the difference between the Jaguars and the Texans. Making three field goals, only missing one which was his third total miss on the season, is something not many teams have the privilege of having.

Josh Allen

If there was one player on the Jaguars that’s deserving of team MVP, it would be Josh Allen. In the Jaguars vs. Texans matchup, he once again proved himself worthy of a long-term extension and significant praise. Allen earned a slay multiple times over the 2023 season thanks to his prolific sack numbers. In the Jaguars vs. Texans game he added to his season sack total.

Josh Allen had 2.5 sacks against a Houston Texans offensive line that has impressed in 2023. Not only did Allen have 2.5 sacks, but he did so while also getting 12 pressures. An absurd number for Josh Allen, in what might be one of his best performances of the 2023 season.

He made a living in the backfield and proved his worth to the Jaguars. Josh Allen has played himself into a massive contract extension, and the Jaguars should be excited that they have such a dynamic pass rusher, especially considering that was one of the main holes on the roster that the team and fans felt needed to be addressed. Allen’s progress has opened the door for Travon Walker and other pass rushers to get home as well. Overall, Josh Allen deserves significant praise for what he’s done in 2023.

Anton Harrison

Anton Harrison is exactly what the Jaguars needed. A long-term, stable, and reliable right tackle goes a long way. Doug Pederson is well aware of that position’s importance, as he coached one of the best right tackles in the NFL during his time in Philadelphia. Now that Harrison put together his best day in his NFL career, it’s becoming apparent that the Jaguars got a hit on their young right tackle.

One of the more impressive feats of Anton Harrison was that he was constantly being left on an island. Being in one-on-one situations as an offensive lineman typically means that the coaches have an immense amount of trust in that player to secure their blocks. Harrison did that and more against the Houston Texans and Will Anderson Jr.

In the preview of the Jaguars vs. Texans matchup, the head-to-head battle between Anton Harrison and Will Anderson Jr. was at the forefront of the game. Two rookies battling it out, and in week 12 Anton Harrison had the advantage. Will Anderson was held to the lowest pass rush win rate of his incredibly young career against Anton Harrison.

If there was a breakout game for an offensive lineman, this would be it. Holding another young talented player to their worst performance, on the biggest stage the Jaguars have been on in 2023, is all you could ask for from a rookie. Anton Harrison is finally putting things together after a tough beginning. But, now that Harrison is proving himself there’s a lot to look forward to every week if Harrison can put together a film similar to that from the Jaguars vs. Texans game.

Jaguars vs. Texans: Bomb

Travis Etienne Jr. and the Run Game

It’s another one of those weeks where it felt like no part of the Jaguars truly played poorly enough to have “bombed” in the Jaguars vs. Texans game. But, the lack of a run game is something that can’t be ignored. In a tough divisional matchup, against a dynamic offense, limiting their possessions by running the ball can go a long way toward putting together successful seasons.

In the Jaguars vs. Texans matchup, Travis Etienne Jr. struggled to get the ball moving on the ground. It was one of his worst offensive outputs on the ground since his week four game against the Falcons. Averaging under three yards per carry, Etienne wasn’t efficient. One of the most glaring issues from the Jaguars vs. Texans matchup was at the very end of the half when Travis Etienne Jr. couldn’t put the ball in the end zone for a huge touchdown. While not entirely on Etienne, missing out on the opportunity to score points is a massive deal when in a playoff-type environment.

On 20 rushing attempts, Travis Etienne Jr. had 56 yards, good for an average of 2.8 yards per carry. With such a low yards per carry, it’s incredible that it could be even worse. Take away his big 20-yard rush, and Etienne averages 1.9 yards per attempt. Yards per attempt isn’t the end-all-be-all of determining the value of a running back, but the number being so low amidst an incredible win sticks out like a sore thumb.