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The Houston Texans emerged victorious in a crucial Week 6 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, winning 34-31 at Wembley Stadium in London. The win marked Houston's second consecutive victory and brought several players into the spotlight for their contributions, while others faced scrutiny for their performances.
In the aftermath of the game, analysts identified key winners and losers from the Texans' perspective. Even in a winning effort against a division rival, some individuals might not have experienced the game as favorably as others.
Texans' Biggest Winners
Quarterback C.J. Stroud continued his impressive start to his fourth professional season. Although he threw his first interception of the year due to a remarkable play by Jaguars star Travis Hunter, Stroud compensated by leading the offense to 34 points. He completed over 66% of his passes and tossed three touchdown passes, helping the offense gain momentum after a slow start to the season.
Wide receiver Jaylin Noel stood out among the pass-catchers, including new addition Marvin Harrison Jr. Noel recorded a team-high 107 receiving yards on just three receptions and registered Houston's longest play of the day with a 50-yard touchdown catch. His explosive plays are likely to keep the second-year wideout on the field.
Safety Calen Bullock finally secured his first interception of the season after a five-week wait, picking off Trevor Lawrence in the first half. He nearly had a second takeaway on the Jaguars' final drive, capping a highly successful outing for the Pro Bowl safety.
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley called one of his best games since joining the Texans, silencing criticism of the offense's play-calling. The passing attack looked more effective, the running game showed signs of life, and the team scored over 30 points as a result.
Texans' Biggest Losers
Veteran safety Reed Blankenship had a rough game, repeating earlier-season mistakes such as blown coverages and missed tackles. He was also a key factor in allowing Bhayshul Tuten to score one of his two touchdowns. Blankenship left the game in the first half with an apparent head injury, and if he misses time, M.J. Stewart could see an increased role.
Running back David Montgomery found himself on the losers list despite not traveling to London. The running game performed significantly better without him in the rotation. Woody Marks led the backfield with 15 carries for 56 yards, while practice squad elevation Jawhar Jordan added six carries for 43 yards and a touchdown. This raises questions about Montgomery's future role in the backfield.