Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars Box Score on Oct 18, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Oct 18, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Houston Texans scored three touchdowns in less than seven minutes in the fourth quarter to power past the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-20 on Sunday in a showdown between AFC South Division teams.

Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer turned in a solid performance, connecting on 24 of 36 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns. It was Hoyer's first game as a starter since the season opener against Kansas City.

Hoyer was at his best in the fourth quarter when he led the Texans on two scoring drives to overcome a 14-10 Jaguars lead. Jacksonville scored in the closing seconds of the third quarter when quarterback Blake Bortles connected with tight end Julius Thomas for a 29-yard score. It was Thomas' first touchdown as a Jaguar.

Houston answered that score with an 81-yard drive in nine plays. Hoyer accounted for 65 yards on four completions, including a 9-yard throw to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the corner of the end zone. Three plays earlier, Hoyer left the game after taking a late hit by Jaguars safety Johnathan Cyprien. Hoyer returned and after a running play and an incompletion, teamed with Hopkins.

The Texans, however, weren't done there. After the Jaguars went three-and-out, Hoyer needed just four plays to cover 46 yards. The score came on a 26-yard completion to Hopkins who easily beat Jaguars cornerback Davon House near the goal line. That gave the Texans a 10-point cushion

The defense got in on the scoring parade at that point as on the Jaguars' first play following the kickoff, Bortles overthrew Robinson and the ball was grabbed by defensive back Andre Hal. He had a clear path to the end zone to complete the 41-yard interception return and build the Texans lead to 31-14. It was the sixth pass thrown by Bortles in his 19-game career that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

On the Jaguars' next series, backup safety Lonnie Ballentine suffered a leg injury. His leg was put in an air cast and he was taken off the field in a cart.

Jacksonville scored on its next possession when Bortles guided the Jaguars 80 yards in 11 plays. The score came on an 11-yard pass to wide receiver Allen Hurns in the corner of the end zone but that was as close as the Jaguars could get.

The Jaguars had a chance to tie or take the lead late in the first half when they took over possession at their own 40 with 1:43 left before intermission. Jacksonville and Bortles have had plenty of success late in the half this year. The Jags have scored 36 points in the final two minutes of a half (second most in the league) while Bortles' four TD passes ranks first and his 301 yards is second.

But after marching down to the 18-yard line with 17 seconds left in the first half, Bortles threw low for Thomas and the pass was intercepted by Hal at the goal line, preserving Houston's 10-7 halftime margin.

NOTES: Prior to Sunday, the Jaguars had scored 36 points in the final two minutes of a half, second only to Pittsburgh's 37. ... Houston's defense, which came into the game with an NFL-low two turnovers, surpassed that total with three interceptions of QB Blake Bortles. ... Sunday's game at EverBank Field marks the Jaguars' only game there in a two-month span. From Sept. 20 to Nov. 19, the Jaguars play five games on the road, have a home game in London against the Bills and have their bye week. ... Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins came into the game with a league-leading 578 receiving yards and added to that total with 148 yards on 10 catches against the Jaguars.