Texans 20, Jaguars 13
Quarterback T.J. Yates replaced an injured Matt Leinart and along with Houston’s stingy defense helped the Texans hold on for a 20-13 victory over the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday for their franchise-record fifth straight victory.
Yates made his NFL debut late in the second quarter when Leinart left with an apparent broken collarbone. Leinart started in place of Matt Schaub, who is out for the season with an injured foot.
The Texans’ No. 1 defense didn’t allow an offensive touchdown, and also sacked Blaine Gabbert six times, including a franchise-record four by Connor Barwin. He entered the game with five this season.
Houston (8-3), which improved on the best start in franchise history, snapped a four-game losing streak at Jacksonville.
Luke McCown replaced an ineffective Gabbert in the fourth quarter and drove the Jaguars (3-8) to the Houston 42 before turning it over on downs with 1:15 left.
Yates didn’t need to do much and didn’t – he was 8 of 15 for 70 yards as Houston gained only one first down in the second half and didn’t score.
Leinart was 10 of 13 for 57 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown pass to Joel Dreessen in the second quarter to put the Texans in front for good 14-10 in his first start since 2009.
Jacksonville took a 7-0 lead when Ashton Youboty scooped up an Arian Foster fumble and returned it 38 yards 1:22 into the game.
Foster finished with 65 yards and a touchdown, but fumbled twice.
Maurice Jones-Drew had 166 total yards – 99 rushing – for the Jaguars.