Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) fails to score a touchdown against Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24), right, and safety Calen Bullock in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday (21) lying down, December 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Texans beat the Jaguars 23-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jones, a former first-round pick out of Alabama, looked good in the second half when the playbook started and Jacksonville trailed by three points. A three-year starter with the Patriots, Jones completed 12 of 17 passes on the team's final two touchdown drives. Houston seemed content to give up yards underneath.
The Texans secondary had to deal with the pass rush for the first time this season as they didn't get a sack. However, Jacksonville got everything it wanted late Sunday.
. with an acrobatic grab and tightrope walk finish! on FOX
—Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars)
Houston played its first full game without Jalen Pitre, who suffered a pectoral injury last week against Tennessee. Like last week, Jimmie Ward took on the role.
Houston also occasionally played Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. inside when Jeff Okudah moved to the edge. Stingley's slot reps went one-on-one with Jaguars rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Meanwhile, Lassiter, who some viewed as a new addition to the season, came into the game early but remained out most of the game because the Texans lacked another outside corner.
Okudah got a chance at the slot for the second time this season but struggled. Houston could use the bye week to bring another veteran defensive player back into the mix, especially if it plans to continue moving pieces in the secondary.
