HOUSTON — Backup quarterback Davis Mills’ first begin in additional than two years will probably be one which he and the Houston Texans will keep in mind.
With beginning quarterback C.J. Stroud sidelined with a concussion, Houston overcame a 19-point deficit within the second half to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 36-29. Mills had three fourth-quarter touchdowns, capped by a 14-yard scoring run with 31 seconds left.
“The entire workforce had religion we had been going to win that recreation the complete time,” Mills mentioned. “I believe our workforce could be very assured in our personal talents. Now we have loads of gamers who could make performs. And we simply wanted to get issues clicking.”
Houston tied with the Philadelphia Eagles (Week 3) and Denver Broncos (Week 7) for the most important comeback victories this season. This additionally marked the second-biggest comeback in workforce historical past, because the Texans trailed by 21 factors in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1 of 2013.
Making his first begin since Jan. 8, 2023, Mills bought off to a rocky begin in opposition to the Jaguars with an interception on the opening drive. He responded, nevertheless, by throwing for 292 yards after the primary possession.
After the Jaguars turned the opening turnover right into a subject aim, cornerback Tremon Smith fumbled on the following kickoff return, giving Jacksonville the ball on the 19. 5 performs later, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a landing move to Parker Washington.
Washington elevated the Jaguars’ benefit within the second quarter to 17-0 with a 73-yard punt return for a landing.
Houston trailed 20-10 at halftime, however Texans coach DeMeco Ryans by no means noticed his workforce panic.
“I simply have a look at the sport as I have a look at life,” Ryans mentioned. “Unhealthy issues are going to occur. Do you grasp your head and go run and conceal? Do you stop? Do you quit? No, you bought to maintain punching. In life and soccer, you bought to maintain punching. And that is what this recreation confirmed as we speak.”
Along with the Texans’ offense scoring 20 factors within the fourth quarter, the protection suffocated the Jaguars within the final 12 minutes by not solely shutting them out but additionally by holding them to 11 web yards and one first down. The Texans’ defensive finish duo of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson mixed for two.5 sacks with each taking Lawrence down on the ultimate drive of the sport.
The 19-point blown lead marks the largest in Jaguars historical past, together with the postseason. Getting into Sunday’s recreation, the Jaguars had been 64-0-0 in video games through which that they had at the least an 18-point lead, in response to ESPN Analysis. And Houston was 0-76, together with playoffs, when trailing by at the least 19 factors within the ultimate quarter.
“You’ve got bought a 19-point lead and you’ll’t maintain onto it, and that is disappointing,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen mentioned. “That is actually disappointing in opposition to a divisional opponent on the street the place you are controlling the sport for almost all of it with all three phases having an impression.”
For Houston, the comeback might need saved its season. Had the Texans misplaced, in response to ESPN Analysis, their possibilities on the playoffs would have dropped to 4%. As an alternative, with the victory, it rose to 17%.
“We actually wanted that win,” Anderson mentioned. “I believe as a workforce, you may simply see the camaraderie. You’ll be able to see how all people actually needed this win. You’ll be able to see how we stored combating all quarters for nevertheless lengthy it took. No one bought discouraged. All people stored combating.”
Houston, with an opportunity to climb again to .500, travels to face the Tennessee Titans (1-8) in Week 11.