The Texans defeated the Jaguars 23-17 to keep their playoff hopes alive, but ultimately didn't get the help they needed to earn the final wildcard spot.
J.J. Watt became the first player in NFL history to reach 20 sacks in two different seasons with three sacks, including one for a safety. Andre Johnson scored a touchdown and led the team with 134 yards receiving on ten catches. Case Keenum was 25-of-35 for 250 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 98.5.
Arian Foster exited in the first quarter with a hamstring injury but not before contributing six points. Foster caught a 10-yard touchdown pass on the Texans first offensive series of the game. Andre Johnson picked up two first downs on the five-play, 83-yard drive. Houston took an early 7-0 lead.
The rest of the first quarter was all Jacksonville, who scored ten unanswered points on back-to-back drives. Josh Scobee kicked a 53-yard field goal. On the Texans next possession, Keenum was intercepted on a pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins. Cornerback Dwayne Gratz returned the pick 55 yards to give Jacksonville a 10-7 lead with 2:55 left in the first quarter.
Foster left the game with a hamstring injury. After first down runs by Keenum and Jonathan Grimes, rookie Alfred Blue scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The Texans took a 14-10 lead after the 14-play, 74-yard drive that lasted 6:45.
Scobee missed a 51-yard field goal that hit the upright in the third quarter.
After a strip sack on Keenum, the Jags defense regained possession at the Houston 23-yard line. After a lateral by Bortles, wide receiver Cecil Shorts III threw the Jaguars only touchdown pass to running back Jordan Todman to give the Jaguars a 17-14 lead.
Keenum marched the Texans back, with completions to Andre Johnson and carries by Blue. After a 12-play, 80-yard drive, Keenum threw a touchdown pass to Johnson to regain the lead for Houston.
Watt's third sack of the day resulted in a fourth-quarter safety that extended the Texans lead to six. With 5:37 left in the game, Houston led 23-17.
Blake Bortles finished the day and his rookie season 14-of-33 for 117 yards and a passer rating of 52.2. Bortles also rushed for 61 yards on three carries.
The Texans finish the 2014 season with a 9-7 record, their fourth winning record in franchise history.
