C.J. Stroud’s fourth-quarter comeback kept the Texans alive against Jacksonville originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Houston Texans left London with a win that looked unlikely late in the game. Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 49-yard field goal as time expired completed a 34-31 comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars and gave Houston one of the most dramatic finishes of Week 6.
C.J. Stroud was central to the rally. He passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns, repeatedly giving Houston a chance to stay within reach after Jacksonville threatened to take control.
The result is especially important because the Texans entered the game with a 1-4 record. A loss would have made the path back into the AFC South race more difficult. Instead, Houston moved to 2-4 and handed Jacksonville its second defeat.
A wild finish in London
The game was not decided until the final possession. Houston’s offense put the Texans in position for Fairbairn, who converted the 49-yard attempt to secure the victory. The kick capped a game in which both teams had opportunities to seize control.
WHAT A THROW FROM CJ STROUD. HOUvsJAX on NFL Network Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/Z8LUxZceAl
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2026
Jacksonville’s offense had enough success to put up 31 points, but the Jaguars could not close the door. Stroud’s three touchdown passes kept Houston in the game, and the Texans found the final points they needed when the pressure was highest.
A road win in an international game can also complicate preparation and routine. Houston had to manage the travel and the unusual setting while facing a divisional opponent that came in with a far stronger record.
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The Texans have something to build on
One win does not fix Houston’s uneven start, but a last-second victory against a 4-1 team gives the Texans a meaningful result to carry into next week. Stroud’s production is an encouraging sign, particularly after the team needed a high-pressure finish.
For Jacksonville, the loss will sting because the Jaguars had a chance to strengthen their grip on the division. Instead, the final kick flipped the story.
The Texans now have a result that can change the mood around their season. They still have work to do, but Sunday’s finish showed they can respond when a game reaches its most demanding moment.