Houston Texans are AFC South champions; defeat Jaguars
The Houston Texans are your 2018 AFC South champions, clinching the division title after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17.
It finally happened for the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon, as they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17 by a 20-3 score, clinching the championship on their home field. In the process of defeating the Jaguars they gained their 11th win of the 2018 season.
This season has been a wild ride for the Texans to say the least. Remember how gloomy the first three games of the season were when the team began the season 0-3, losing all three games by less than a touchdown?
Everything began to change in Week 4 following their first win of the season against the Buffalo Bills by a 20-13 score. Houston eventually gained nine straight wins to go from a winless team after three weeks to a 9-3 record, leading the way in the AFC South standings.
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After suffering their fourth loss of the season to the Indianapolis Colts by a 24-21 score to see the winning streak go away, Houston split the next two games. They won by a 29-22 score over the New York Jets, followed with a 32-30 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sunday saw the Texans’ offense start slow and be held at the goal line by the Jaguars with plays that saw Houston (11-5) not break into the end zone, followed with an offsides penalty.
After that mishap — before that the Texans also fumbled the ball on special teams — they eventually scored points. Though Houston had to settle for mostly field goals in the red zone, they did more than enough to win the game and the division title.
What was most impressive for the Texans was their defensive pressure put on the Jacksonville offensive line and quarterback Blake Bortles, with the Texans totaling seven passes defensed, six tackles for a loss, three sacks and one interception.
J.J. Watt had himself a day with a forced fumble and 1.5 sacks. Also for the Texans, Kareem Jackson had three passes defensed, while Andre Hal had an interception.
What was not so great with the offense was inability of the offensive line to block for Watson as he was sacked six times. Watson put in poor spots at times as he was also hit over 10 times on Sunday by the Jaguars.
A positive for the Texans was Deshaun Watson finishing his day at 25-of-35 for 234 yards passing. Watson, who didn’t pass for any touchdowns, also led the Texans with 66 yards rushing with a touchdown run on 13 carries. It was also another big-time day for the best wide receiver in the entire NFL, that being DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins totaled 12 receptions for 144 yards as he was targeted 16 times in the win.
At the end of the day though the defense and kicking game of the Texans, along with the toughness showed by Watson and the high level of play from Hopkins was enough for the Texans to become AFC South champions.
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Now it is times get ready for a home game in the playoffs next weekend most likely against the winner of the Titans and Colts who play on Sunday Night Football.