Texans Secure Gritty 23-20 Win Over Jaguars Behind Joe Mixon's Historic Day

HOUSTON, Texas — The Houston Texans found some much-needed momentum heading into their bye week — call it "Joe-mentum."

Joe Mixon ran for 101 yards and a touchdown, Nico Collins hauled in eight catches for 119 yards, and the Texans edged out the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20 on Sunday. The victory was punctuated by a key defensive play that knocked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of the game with a concussion.

Now sitting at 8-5, the Texans have won just two of their last five games but hold a commanding two-game lead in the AFC South.

“Yeah, it’s a big win for us,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Our guys need a break. It’s been a long stretch—13 weeks straight. By the end of the game, you could see it; our guys were gassed. This bye week couldn’t come at a better time.”

Despite the team showing signs of wear, Mixon showed no signs of slowing down.

He joined elite company as just the third player in NFL history to notch at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in six road games in a single season, joining Tiki Barber (2004) and Derrick Henry (2020). Even more impressively, Mixon is the first to achieve this feat in his first six road games of a season.

Mixon's most important carry came late in the fourth quarter when he powered through for an 8-yard gain on third-and-5, sealing the Texans’ victory.

“Joe’s an old-school back,” Ryans said. “He wants it 30 times a game, and he just gets better the more touches he gets. He’s fighting through pain, facing loaded boxes, and still finding ways to move the chains.”

C.J. Stroud played his part as well, completing 22 of 34 passes for 242 yards and throwing a 22-yard touchdown to tight end Dalton Schultz in the fourth quarter to ice the game. The Texans extended their dominance over Jacksonville, claiming their 12th win in the last 14 matchups and their sixth consecutive victory in Jacksonville.

Schultz continued the trend of tight ends tormenting the Jaguars' defense, finishing with five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.

The game also featured a controversial moment when Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair delivered a hard hit on Lawrence as he slid to the ground during the second quarter. The hit sparked a sideline-clearing brawl, with Jaguars tight end Evan Engram leading the charge to defend his quarterback.

“It was a dirty hit,” Engram said. “Those kinds of plays are always questionable, but it didn’t feel clean, and I had to stick up for my guy.”

Lawrence was taken off the field in a cart and ruled out with a concussion, but he did not require hospital evaluation. His backup, Mac Jones, threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns, nearly completing a comeback for the Jaguars.

Despite their injuries, Jacksonville fought hard, losing cornerback Tyson Campbell (thigh) and safety Darnell Savage (ankle) to minor injuries. The Texans also had their share of bumps, with safety Jimmie Ward briefly evaluated for a concussion and tight end Dalton Schultz returning after a shoulder scare.

The Jaguars also saw an in-game coaching departure as running backs coach Jerry Mack was announced as Kennesaw State’s new head coach during the fourth quarter.

What’s NextThe Texans enter their bye week before hosting Miami on Dec. 15, while the Jaguars head to Tennessee next Sunday to face another division rival.