JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2025 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 17-10 Week 3 victory over the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium.

BIG IMPRESSION

• The Jaguars showed their mettle in a nailbiter against a division rival. After squandering several opportunities to blow out the Texans, the Jaguars made a handful of clutch plays in the fourth quarter that turned around the game and led to a spectacular closeout with less than a minute remaining. While wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.'s. 46-yard catch against an all-out blitz that set up the game-winning score garnered the headlines, it was the defense's takeaways and big plays that tilted the game in the Jaguars' favor.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• The Jaguars' turnover-obsessed defense deserves a standing ovation for its performance against the Texans. The unit came up with three takeaways and a pair of sacks as the Jaguars relentlessly harassed Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud for 60 minutes. One key is the constant pressure from a disruptive frontline that is playing at an elite level, with the stars (end Josh Hines-Allen, end Travon Walker and tackle Arik Armstead) leading the way. Not to be outdone, the Jaguars are also getting "splash" plays from linebackers and defensive backs attacking the ball from every angle. Whether it is linebacker Devin Lloyd coming up with a timely fumble recovery or safety Antonio Johnson sealing the game on a diving interception on a deflected pass, the defense's "see ball, get ball" mentality enabled the team to overcome a sluggish offensive performance that turned a potential blowout into a "white knuckler" in front of the home crowd.

TREVOR'S TIME

• The former No.1 overall pick has not posted stellar numbers, despite showing an outstanding command of Head Coach Liam Coen's offense. Trevor Lawrence has dominated the pre-snap phase by routinely getting the Jaguars into favorable play calls, including the 46-yard pass to Thomas on a blitz check against Cover-Zero (all-out) pressure. In addition, his accuracy and ball placement have been on point, but the Jaguars' wide receivers had the "dropsies" for most of the game, leading to a bigger role for tight end Brenton Strange in the clutch. As Lawrence continues to strengthen his connections with his players through in-game repetitions under pressure, he is learning who to trust and how to unlock them with the game on the line. Although it has not been perfect through three games, Lawrence's improved pre-snap process and post-snap execution have enabled the offense to overcome some of the self-inflicted mistakes and miscues that have routinely occurred this season.

UNSUNG HERO

• Jourdan Lewis has been better than advertised as a playmaking nickel cornerback with superb instincts and ball skills. The feisty defender finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss, two passes defensed and an interception, displaying exceptional awareness in a multi-faceted role. With Lewis competing like a maniac on the perimeter in coverage and on pressures, the Texans were unable to consistently target receivers between the hashes or stabilize their protections at the point of attack. As the Jaguars become more comfortable in defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's "vision-and-break" scheme, Lewis and Co. will continue to produce "splash" plays (turnovers, sacks, forced fumbles and tackles for loss) with their instincts and hustle unleashed on the perimeter.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• It was not pretty for the Jaguars for most of the game, but they found a way to make the plays when it mattered the most. Lawrence and Thomas, Jr. connected on a pivotal pass play against an all-out blitz that atoned for the disappointing performance from the WR1 and his crew. Although the "dropsies" from the wide receivers must be addressed in practice this week, the unit delivered enough explosive plays to squeak out a win against an ultra-physical defense that stymied the running game and dared Lawrence to win through the air. With 200-plus passing yards and a handful of pivotal third-down conversions, the passing game did just enough to earn a win on Sunday.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The Jaguars are rounding into form as a top-five defense. Perhaps that statement is a little premature based on the small sample size, but this collection of defenders makes big plays at pivotal moments to tilt the game in the Jaguars' favor. Whether it is a big hit on the quarterback that leads to an interception or knocking the ball loose on a "bang-bang" play down the field, the Jaguars' turnover-obsession has resulted in a plethora of big plays from the unit. With the pass rush heating up behind the play of Hines-Allen, Walker, and Armstead, the big hits and turnovers will continue against quarterbacks overwhelmed by the relentless pressure within the pocket.