The Houston Texans pulled off a clutch 34-31 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, sealing it with a last-second field goal on October 18, 2026. This was a massive win for a 1-4 Texans squad clinging to any hope of a late-season comeback, especially against a tough 4-1 Jaguars team. A victory like this, even though it was way closer than their 26-3 win over the Jags in London back in 2019, could be exactly the spark they need after stumbling through September.
Stroud’s MVP Drive & Offensive Spark
One thing is crystal clear: CJ Stroud is playing like an MVP. He was on fire from the jump, a hot streak he’s maintained all season, and it lasted nearly the entire game. We saw huge completions to Nico Collins and a touchdown grab from Foster Moreau to end the first quarter. Stroud just kept delivering throughout the first half, hitting Dalton Schultz, Jaylin Noel, and recent trade acquisition Marvin Harrison Jr. for big completions. His ability to connect with multiple targets like that, under constant pressure from the score, is exactly what an MVP does.
Defense Struggles, But Bullock Gets a Key Pick
While Stroud was slinging it, the Texans’ defense had its struggles. The Jaguars’ offense, led by Trevor Lawrence, Bhayshul Tuten, Parker Washington, and Jakobi Meyers, moved the ball up and down Wembley Stadium’s chewed up pitch. We saw missed tackles all over the field, poor special teams coverage, and a defense that rarely pressured Lawrence. It was a lot like their rough outings against the Bills and Cowboys, with missed tackles on Jags tailbacks Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr., plus CB/WR Travis Hunter. Still, there was a moment of hope on the Jaguars’ third drive when Lawrence threw an interception in the end zone to Calen Bullock. You might have hoped that was a sign of things turning around for the defense, but nope, it was business as usual after that. Jacksonville even took a 17-14 lead in the second quarter on a two-yard touchdown reception by Tuten.
This big win, coming down to a last-second field goal against a strong division rival, has to feel good. The Texans were 1-4, staring down the barrel, and now they’ve got some momentum. This could be the impetus for a late-season surge, much like what they experienced in 2025. It’s too early to call anything for sure, but if this team can build on Stroud’s leadership and fix those defensive missteps, they might just forget those early season losses.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Battle Red Blog.
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