Texans 43, Jaguars 37 (OT)
HOUSTON - The Texans have developed a reputation as a strong defensive team, but on Sunday at Reliant Stadium, with their defense under siege from Jacksonville backup quarterback Chad Henne and rookie receiver Justin Blackmon, the Texans needed their offense to bail them out.
Quarterback Matt Schaub set a franchise record for completions while receiver Andre Johnson enjoyed a career day to help the Texans erase a two-touchdown, fourth-quarter deficit and take a 43-37 overtime win.
Johnson turned a short screen pass from Schaub into a 48-yard, walk-off touchdown with 2:01 remaining in the overtime period after both the Texans (9-1) and Jaguars (1-9) kicked field goals to start the extra session. Johnson finished with 14 catches and 273 yards. The game-winning score was his first on the afternoon.
Schaub passed for 527 yards, tying former Oilers quarterback Warren Moon for the second-highest single-game total in NFL history. He tossed five touchdown passes, completing 43-of-55 attempts, to outduel Henne (16-of-33 for 354 yards and four touchdowns). Henne's 81-yard scoring strike to Blackmon (seven receptions for 236 yards) had given the Jaguars a 34-20 lead with 12:33 remaining.
Blackmon entered the weekend with 26 receptions for 250 yards and one touchdown while Henne had passed for 215 yards and a touchdown over two games off the bench. Both resembled world-beaters against the league's second-ranked defense, a unit fresh off a brilliant effort against the Bears in Chicago on national television last Sunday night.
A pivotal moment occurred on the final snap of the Jaguars' opening series when Texans strong safety Danieal Manning blasted Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert as he attempted a third-down pass. Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins recovered the ensuing fumble, but, of greater significance, Gabbert was sidelined with a right elbow contusion.
Not only did the Texans, who covered 84 yards with ease en route to a touchdown on their opening series, squander an early opportunity to extend their 7-0 lead, their fortunes turned when Henne came off the Jacksonville bench. Following a three-and-out on his first series, Henne guided the Jaguars on three consecutive scoring drives.
His pinpoint 63-yard pass to Blackmon set the stage for Marcedes Lewis' 13-yard scoring grab that knotted the score at 7-all late in the first. Henne followed with a 67-yard touchdown pass to Cecil Shorts on his third possession, then led an eight-play, 44-yard drive that culminated in a Josh Scobee 43-yard field goal and 17-14 lead.
NOTES: The Texans had surrendered just one touchdown and an average of 243 yards during their three-game win streak entering Sunday. The Jaguars recorded two touchdowns and 238 yards in the first half. ... Gabbert (right elbow contusion) was knocked out of the game on the final play of the Jaguars' opening series. Manning was credited with a sack and forced fumble on the play. ... Shorts' 67-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was his fourth of 20-plus yards this season, the most by a Jaguars receiver since Reggie Williams recorded five in 2007.
