Having begun play in 1995 and 2002, the Jaguars and Texans are among two of the most recently established franchises in the NFL, originating in the 2000s. The Texans specifically became the 32nd NFL franchise, leading the NFL to realign its divisions to create eight divisions of four teams. The Jaguars were moved from the AFC Central to the newly formed AFC South, which the Texans were also placed into. Since then, they have competed as division rivals.
The Texans lead the overall series, 31–15. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.[1]
2000s
The 2000s proved to be an even decade for the rivalry, with both teams winning eight games against the other. Three of the first four games played between the two teams were close affairs; the exception, a 27–0 Jaguars blowout win was the first shutouts suffered by the Texans in their franchise history.[2]
The first match between the two teams occurred in Jacksonville on October 27, 2002. The Texans won the game 21–19 as Kris Brown kicked a game-winning field goal with 54 seconds left to help Houston earn its first away victory in franchise history.[3]
In 2008, the Jaguars defeated the Texans in an overtime match.[4]David Garrard, the Jaguars' starting quarterback for much of the rivalry during the late 2000s, helped Jacksonville set up a game winning field-goal. Josh Scobee would deliver the kick to win 30–27.[5]
2010s
Andre Johnson set career highs in receptions and receiving yards against the Jaguars in 2012
Unlike the 2000s, season series splits were rare, only occurring in 2010. The Houston Texans dominated the rivalry during the 2010s, sweeping the series in seven of ten seasons. The Jaguars were able to pull off series sweeps in 2013 and 2017. The latter occurred en route to an AFC Championship game appearance for the Jaguars.
In the 2011 NFL draft, the Jaguars and Texans had the 10th and 11th picks, respectively. Needing a quarterback, the Jaguars selected Blaine Gabbert from Missouri, while the Texans selected defensive lineman J. J. Watt from Wisconsin. While Gabbert flamed out after three seasons in Jacksonville and was eventually traded, Watt became a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner and, in the process, became a notable figure of the rivalry.[6][7][8]
In 2010, the Jaguars won at home 31–24 thanks to a successful 50-yard Hail Mary attempt by Garrard as time ran out.[9] Notably, Texans cornerback Glover Quin tipped the ball down before it was caught by Jaguars receiver Mike Thomas.[10]
One of the more memorable games of the rivalry is a 43–37 overtime victory by the Texans in 2012.[11] Playing at home, they were nearly upset by the Jaguars, but quarterback Matt Schaub completed a touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Johnson with two minutes left in overtime to secure a victory.[12] Schaub threw for 527 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns during the game, both career highs. The former also ranks as the second-most passing yards in a single game in NFL history.[13] Johnson's 14 receptions for 273 yards were both career highs, with the latter being a team record.[13]
Deshaun Watson, who played for the Texans from 2017–2021, has been cited as another player who helped the Texans dominate the Jaguars in the rivalry.[14]
2020s
The Texans continued their dominance of the rivalry to begin the 2020s. In 2022, Sports Illustrated writer Zach Dimmit wrote "It might be hard to find a more historically lopsided division rivalry in the league."[15]
Watt recorded his 100th career sack in a win against the Jaguars in 2020.[16]
In 2022, the previously winless Texans defeated the Jaguars 13–6, as they forced Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence into multiple turnovers.[17] However, during the teams' second matchup of the season, Jacksonville blew out the Texans 31–3[18], snapping Houston's 9-game winning streak in the rivalry series.[19]
In 2023, under rookie quarterback C. J. Stroud, the Texans defeated the Jaguars 37–17 in what would be Stroud's first win as a Texan. In Week 12, the two teams battled in a close game with both quarterbacks throwing for over 300 yards, with the Jaguars ending up winning 24–21 from a missed game-tying field goal by Texans kicker Matt Ammendola.[20] Despite splitting the series, the Texans clinched the division with a 10–7 record, due to a late-season collapse by the Jaguars who finished 9–8.
In 2024, the rivalry intensified further when Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair illegally hit quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he was sliding a yard short of a first down. As a result of the hit, Lawrence suffered a concussion and was declared out for the rest of the game while Al-Shaair was ejected. The incident incited a brawl involving multiple players, with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones also being ejected.[21] The Texans went on to win the game 23–20[22], completing a sweep of the Jaguars after previously defeating them 24–20 in Week 4.[23]
Season-by-season results
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans Season-by-Season Results[1]
Texans join the National Football League (NFL) as an expansion team. During the NFL realignment, the Jaguars and Texans are placed in the newly created AFC South, resulting in two meetings annually.
In Houston, Texans score their most points in a game against the Jaguars. Texans finished with 653 yards, setting a franchise record for their most yards in a game. Texans' QB Matt Schaub threw for 527 yards, setting a franchise record for their most passing yards in a game. Meanwhile, the Jaguars set franchise records for their most yards allowed in a game and most passing yards allowed in a game.
In Houston, Jaguars finish with 10 sacks, setting a franchise record for their most sacks in a game. In Jacksonville, Jaguars record their largest victory against the Texans with a 38–point differential and score their most points in a game against the Texans.
In Jacksonville, Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair delivered an illegal hit to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, resulting in a brawl between players from both teams. As a result, both Al-Shaair and Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones were ejected from the game, while Lawrence was ruled out for the rest of the game. Al-Shaair received a three-game suspension for his actions.
