The Texans couldn’t get out of the way, but somehow they found a way to win. Having CJ Stroud at quarterback helps.

Stroud threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Dare Ogunbowale 2:36 of the final 2:54 to secure a 24-20 victory over the Jaguars. Jacksonville remained winless at 0-4, while Houston improved to 3-1.

Houston offensive lineman Kenyon Green, a former first-round pick, and core special teams player Steven Sims had particularly memorable days. Green had three penalties – two illegal fielding penalties and a holding penalty – and Sims had a botched punt inside his own 10 that led to Jacksonville’s first touchdown and a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on a Jaguars punt while the Texans were trying to score. to come back.

The Texans finished the game with 12 penalties for 93 yards, their third straight game with at least 11 penalties. Offensive linemen Green, Shaq Mason and Laremy Tunsil had a total of seven penalties – four holds, a false start and two ineligible players being offside – with several of them negating big plays.

But the Texans outscored the Jaguars 435 to 313, with Stroud going 27 of 40 for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Nico Collins caught 12 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, and third-string running back Cam Akers had 13 carries for 53 yards. Stefon Diggs caught five passes for 69 yards and ran for a 6-yard touchdown.

Trevor Lawrence was 18 of 33 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, Brian Thomas caught six for 86 yards and a touchdown and Christian Kirk caught seven for 61 yards and a touchdown.