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Quarterback Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) blew their 13-10 lead at halftime, managing just four yards in the third quarter while falling to the Houston Texans (7-6), 27-13 Sunday in Jacksonville.
Offensively, running back Arian Foster led the Texans with 24 carries for 127 yards and a game changing touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Houston lined up for a field goal before calling a time out and electing to go for it. Foster looked like he would be stopped for a loss, but escaped a tackle, switched directions and high-stepped into the end zone.
The Jags took an early lead with a four yard touchdown reception from Allen Hurns, followed by two Josh Scobee field goals in the second quarter, to give the Jags a three point edge heading into half. Scobee became the first player in franchise history to score 1,000 points. However, Jacksonville managed just 73 yards of offense in the second half and Bortles threw three more picks, giving him an NFL leading 16 interceptions this season.
Houston defensive lineman J.J. Watt created huge problems for the Jags, finishing with three sacks and five quarterback hits. Watt says he was just doing his job.
“The biggest thing I try to do and I think most football players try to do is, you never know what play can change a game. You never know what play you can get a sack or fumble on, you just never know. You need to go out there and treat every single play like it’s that play,” says Watt.
Texan’s quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed 13 of 19 passes for 135 yards, and went on to give the Texans back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly three months after defeating the Jaguars 27-13 on Sunday.
Turning to another subject, Jacksonville safety and former Florida Gator Josh Evans shared his thoughts on the hiring of new Gator football coach Jim McElwain.
“From what I’m seeing on social media everyone is pretty pumped about him. Personally, I don’t know too much about him but the more that the fans and people there are excited about him the more excited I get to see what he can do.”
Evans says having an offensive minded coach will make the Gators better on both sides of the ball.
“I don’t think there will be a drop off at all. I think they will be great on both sides of the ball. They will have a great offense with the new coach coming in and they have a great defense. When you’re great on both sides, it sounds like it will be a great year for the Gators,” says Evans.
Evans says the transition for the players to a new coach will work itself out with time.
“It comes with being a player’s coach. Once everyone gets a feel for how the new guy is and believes in what he is saying, it will take off from there. Once you learn your coach and he understand your strengths and weaknesses, the sky is the limit,” says Evans.
To hear audio from JJ Watt and Josh Evans click below:
