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The Jaguars are a much better football team than the Houston Texans. If they're not, they certainly have me fooled, as they dominated the first half of Thursday Night Football to jump out to a 14-0 lead before taking a 17-7 score to halftime. With offensive rhythm and a defensive performance that kept the Texans from getting anything going early, there were smiles all around on the Jacksonville sideline.
The only people that weren't happy were the Texans, who appear to be on their way to an 11th consecutive loss and firm control the cellar of the NFL.
A late drive by the Texans got the visiting team on the scoreboard, but a late interception thrown by Case Keenum and a personal foul penalty by the Texans set the Jaguars up for a 40-yard field goal from Josh Scobee that extended the lead to 10. The Texans tallied 10 penalties for 115 yards in the first half, a franchise record.
Chad Henne completed 8-of-18 passes in the first half for 86 yards and two touchdowns, hitting Marcedes Lewis and Cecil Shorts for scores. On the ground, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jordan Todman and Henne combined for 83 yards rushing on 12 carries.
The sole injury for the Jaguars was an ankle tweak for Ace Sanders, but it isn't expected to be serious and the rookie is expected to return.
