jaguars.com Senior Editor Vic Ketchman followed the action live as the Jaguars took on the Texans. Here's what he wrote.
Pregame - 10:23AM
Hi, everybody, and welcome to the press box at "The Jack." It's gonna be another hot one for players and fans today. Which team is better-conditioned to deal with the heat? That's an issue we'll keep an eye on today. Welcome aboard.
Pregame - 10:52AM
Last week's game was called a must-win game because the Jaguars couldn't afford another loss, especially in the division. Is today's game any different? This is a game the Jaguars must win to stay in contention, in my opinion, in the division title race.
Pregame - 11:57AM
Jaguars inactives: Reggie Nelson, Justin Durant, Brad Meester, Chris Naeole, Charles Spencer, Troy Williamson, Dennis Northcutt and Tony McDaniel. I'm surprised by Northcutt? That's a pretty "healthy" inactive list. Nelson, Durant, Northcutt and McDaniel are significant losses.
Pregame - 11:59AM
The Texans will be without Eugene Wilson, Ahman Green, Brandon Harrison, Kasey Studdard, Rashad Butler, Mark Bruener, Tim Bulman and N.D. Kalu.
Pregame - 12:00PM
Clint Ingram will start in place of Durant at linebacker and Gerald Sensabaugh will replace Nelson at free safety.
Pregame - 12:13PM
The lights are on at "The Jack." Will someone please explain to me why? There isn't a cloud in the sky. If it gets any brighter, our eyes will dissolve. What's the deal? Isn't it hot enough?
Pregame - 12:27PM
I'm heading for the radio booth. I'll be back for the coin toss.
Pregame - 1:01PM
Houston won the toss and elected to receive. Imagine that, they didn't defer. Temperature is 82.
15:00 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
Matt Schaub throws to Steve Slaton for a yard. The ball is at the Texans' 31.
14:27 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
Schaub converts a third-and-four with a pass to tight end Owen Daniels. The Texans appear to be committed to a short-passing game.
13:17 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
The Jaguars are eating up the Texans' running game. It's third and 13.
12:42 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
Short pass, short run; the Texans have to punt. Brian Witherspoon takes the punt and nearly breaks it all the way. It was a low, wobby punt. The Jaguars start at their 41. Jerry Porter is in the starting lineup.
11:05 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
Garrard throws the slant to Matt Jones for 10 yards and a first down.
10:25 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
The Texans have loaded the box against the run. Garrard and company have to make them pay.
09:50 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
I don't like the shotgun because as soon as the Jags go into it the Texans linebackers drop.
09:08 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 0
Touchdown! This is going to take some explaining. Montell Owens runs 41 yards on fourth and five. Let's start with Gary Kubiak made a big mistake. I'll tell you why in the next post. The kick is good.
08:38 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
On third and long, Garrard threw short of the sticks. The Jags were flagged for holding and the Texans declined. Right away, I knew Jack Del Rio would go for it on fourth and five. The Jaguars hurried up into a tricky fourth-down formation, and Owens took the direct-snap from center and blew right through the defense. That's why the Texans are 0-2.
08:38 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
In my opinion, given Del Rio's track record for going for it on fourth down, Kubiak should've had his team alerted to that possibility. They should've called time out as soon as the punter shifted into the tight end's position. The Texans were asleep at the switch.
08:32 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
The arm tackling on Owens' touchdown run was terrible. The Texans look like a team that's already quit.
07:47 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Three and out; Texans punt. Jaguars have the ball at their 43.
07:33 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Pass interference against Reggie Williams. Everyone thought it was against the Texans.
07:05 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Porter made a short catch and gets a cheer.
06:25 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Bad pass by Garrard; bounced in front of MIke Walker. The Texans take the punt back 17 yards; it was a bad snap and punt. Houston starts at its 40.
05:37 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Schaub is getting blitzed a lot. It's third down already.
05:29 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Short pass to Slaton does the rest. He gets the first down on third and 10. He is big-time quick and fast.
05:23 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Chris Taylor rips up the middle for 17 yards to the Jaguars' 27.
04:03 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
The middle of the Jaguars defense isn't what it once was; too much yardage through there.
02:47 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Schaub to Daniels for a first down at the Jaguars' nine-yard line. Schaub led him perfect; a real tight-windows throw.
02:44 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
Where is Andre Johnson? He's not the same guy. Schaub can't find him.
01:38 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 0, JAX: 7
The series goes nowhere. It's field goal time. Kris Brown will be attempting a 27-yard field goal. It's good.
00:07 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
The most noticeable thing in the Texans offense is that Andre Johnson is not the featured player. This is perplexing.
00:07 left in 1st Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
The kickoff ends the first quarter. Jags have it at their 25.
15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Garrard looks OK, but the running game is going nowhere again. The Texans are 27th in the league against the run, but they aren't the Colts.
14:22 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Punt time; Jags offense bogging down again. Adam Podlesh gets off a great punt. The Texans take over at their nine-yard line. Good thing for the Jaguars special teams. They are carrying this team.
12:01 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Rashean Mathis is out, replaced by Will James. I'll let you know when I know why.
11:57 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Mathis has a bruised shin. He will return.
11:57 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Schaub to Daniels for a first down. Daniels, not Johnson, is Schaub's favorite receiver.
10:36 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Schaub to Kevin Walter for a first down. Schaub's got a good third-down conversions percentage going.
08:45 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Brian Iwuh has replaced Clint Ingram, who's being worked on by the medical team.
08:08 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Finally, Johnson catches a pass, for a first down. James came off the coverage and blitzed, and Schaub knew just where to go with the ball. Smart play by Schaub.
07:24 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
I like Schaub. You can win with him. The Texans need muscle up front.
06:58 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
Slaton sweeps left end for a first down. That run was all speed. I knew he was fast, but his speed is visually intimidating.
06:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 3, JAX: 7
The Texans also need a pounder. Slaton is a Warrick Dunn-type. He's not going to move the pile.
Touchdown! Schaub to Slaton for 30 yards. It was an empty backfield and the Jags didn't blitz. Schaub had time and found Slaton down the sideline. He beat James and Gerald Sensabaugh.
04:47 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
Slaton is the steal of the draft.
04:47 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
There's a lot of cloud cover which has made it not nearly as hot for players and fans.
04:47 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
The Jags start at their 25. They must get their running game going at all costs.
04:47 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
Mario Williams looks great on one play, and then disppears for the next 10 plays.
04:41 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
I counted nine in the box on first down. It appears the Texans defense is starting to feel good about itself, too. That's what stopping the run does to a team.
04:13 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
You could really see it there on that second-down stop. It's third and five.
03:29 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
Garrard to Reggie Williams on a slant for a first down. That's their best route; the quick slant.
02:49 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
Garrard to Williams for a gain of 19 to the Houston 31. Reggie delights the crowd with a hair dance.
02:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
Jones-Drew for no gain. He's had four carries for seven yards.
01:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
The pass to Mike Walker is under review; it could be incomplete. They can't call it a fumble because it was down by contact. It was just a short pass.
01:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
The curious thing is that the Jags haven't used a time out in this drive. We're down to 34 seconds remaining, third and six.
01:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
The catch stands; at the Houston 28.
01:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 7
Dropped by Marcedes Lewis. It was way short of the first down. Josh Scobee is attempting a 46-yard field goal. It's good.
Halftime
It's halftime. It's very disappointing, in my opinion, that the Jaguars are tied with the Texans. After scoring on that fake-punt play, the Texans appeared to be vulnerable to being blown out. The offense just hasn't done much. Garrard is eight of 11 for 74 yards. Fred Taylor and Jones-Drew have rushed for a combined 13 yards.
Halftime
It's overcast now. The Texans are kicking off. Witherspoon is deep. Good kickoff and coverage by the Texans. They kicked to the corner and maintained leverage on Witherspoon.
15:00 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 10
Two consecutive pass completions get a first down at the Jags 45. The second one was the time-honored slant to Matt Jones.
14:27 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 10
The Jags have to watch themselves on those slants. If they throw too many, a linebacker is going to see it coming and drop into that zone.
13:43 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 10
Garrard throws to Walker for a first down, but he had Richard Angulo running wide open.
12:25 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 10
There's the first good run. Jones-Drew explodes off right tackle for 18 yards to the Houston 16.
11:42 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 10
Touchdown! Garrard to Matt Jones. He beat his man to the inside. That was an impressive drive. It was just what the Jaguars needed. I'm surprised the Texans came out that flat.
10:53 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
Schaub to Slaton for a first down. Slaton broke three tackles.
10:52 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
Garrard to Walter for a first down. Walter broke two tackles to get past the sticks. The Johnson thing is intriguing me. What's up with him? He's invisible.
09:25 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
Schaub scrambles for a first down. I see a lot of hands on hips on the Jaguars defense. Is the heat getting to both defenses?
09:25 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
Interference on Will James. It was easy to see. He bumped into Johnson before the ball got there. The ball is on the Jags 22.
07:24 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
Here's the big play; third and eight from the 20.
07:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
Schaub to Andre Davis at the Jags six. It's first and goal. It was a beautiful throw; no rush.
06:29 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
The Texans can't run and they know it. Running plays are wasted downs.
06:01 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 10, JAX: 17
Touchdown! Schaub to Walter over the middle. Schaub threw it into a tight, tight space.
05:15 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
Schaub may be having the game of his life. He's 18 of 25 for 181 yards, two touchdowns and a 118.9 passer rating. The pressure is on Garrard now.
05:15 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
Apparently, they meant Mathis will return and Mathis returns. He has yet to return.
05:15 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
Slant to Jones. The Jags keep throwing it.
05:15 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
The Texans defense looks tired.
04:39 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
What has happened to Marcedes Lewis? That's another drop.
03:56 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
Garrard is sharp right now. He's distributing the ball. He's also getting a lot of time to throw. I just don't understand the love for Mario Williams.
03:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
Slant, after slant, after slant. This one goes to Walker at the Houston 35.
02:30 left in 3rd Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
Great run by Jones-Drew for the first down. He should've been stopped but ran through arms. The Texans defense is out of gas. That's the end of the third quarter and all of their helmets are off.
15:00 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 17
Third-down pass for Lewis is dropped. Scobee is good from 40.
13:40 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
I don't like the fact that the Jaguars are in such a tight game against a team that was blown out in its two previous games.
13:35 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
It's third and three. This could be the game.
12:56 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
What a throw to Walter for a first down.
12:56 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
Schaub to Daniels; big play for 34 yards to the Jags 39.
10:45 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
Holding on the Texans. That hurts.
10:11 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
Schaub over the middle to Walter; another big play for 21 yards and a first down at the Jags 23. No rush.
09:21 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
Slaton blows up the middle to the 10; first and goal.
09:21 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 17, JAX: 20
Touchdown! Schaub to Walter, who went up high. He beat Drayton Florence. There was no pass-rush. I haven't seen Derrick Harvey get into the backfield at all.
07:06 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
The defense caved with the lead again. The Texans went 85 yards. Come on.
07:06 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Nice return by Witherspoon to the Jags 38. Here we go.
06:58 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Garrard to Williams over the middle but offsetting penalties nullify the game. It was holding vs. roughing the passer. It's second and three.
06:14 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Ah, the old slant. It always works. Garrard to Williams for seven.
05:44 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Garrard scrambles for the first down on third and long. He can always count on his legs.
05:00 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Another scramble gains three. The rush is starting to get to Garrard. He needs to stay short with his routes.
04:09 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Garrard to Walker for a first down at the Houston 20. The Texans defense is clearly hanging on.
03:26 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Dropped by Angulo. What's with the tight ends?
02:36 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Bad throw; he bounced it for Williams. It's fourth and eight. This is it.
02:32 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
He scrambles for it again. Amazing! We're at the two-minute warning. It's first and goal at the nine.
02:00 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
QB draw stopped at the five. Houston takes its second time out. I wouldn't be surprised if the Jags run the QB draw again.
01:53 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 20
Told you. Touchdown! Garrard on the draw. This is a magnificent moment in his career.
01:48 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 27
Great kick coverage. The Texans start at their 18 with1:43 to play.
01:48 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 27
Screen to Slaton gains 12.
01:48 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 27
Schaub to Daniels at the Houston 47. The Texans then spike the ball with :36 to play. They have time out remaining. I look for them to go down the middle.
00:36 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 27
There it is, to Johnson at the Jags 32.
00:36 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 27
Schaub spikes with :18 to play. They have one time out remaining.
00:18 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 27
He ran it. I'm stunned. They ran to the left hash and then called time out. This is not a short field goal. They've left Brown with a 46-yarder to tie.
00:06 left in 4th Qtr -- HOU: 24, JAX: 27
Good! We're going to overtime. Brown appeared to hit it fat. It was a bad snap. The holder got it up just in time but it may have thrown off Brown's timing. The kick was low and didn't clear the bar by much.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
The Jags win the toss and will receive.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
A lot of fans have left. That's unfortunate. They're missing something good. Witherspoon takes the kick back to the Jags 30.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
Garrard's starting to get scramble happy.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
It's third and five. Obviously, this is a big play.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
Garrard to Jones for a first down. The pass was right on the money.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
Garrard to Greg Jones and he breaks several tackles down the sideline to the Houston 19-yard line. Time to run and kick.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
They're kicking on second down. The ball is on the right hash. Most kickers prefer the left hash. It's 37 yards.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
Houston calls time out to ice Scobee. He must like the right hash.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 27
They've just called another time out.
Overtime -- Hou: 27, Jax: 30
Good. Bye.
