jaguars.com Senior Editor Vic Ketchman followed the action live as the Jaguars took on the Texans in Houston. Here's what he wrote.
Pregame - 6:11PM
Hi and welcome to the press box at Reliant Stadium. This isn't what the NFL had in mind when it scheduled the Jaguars and Texans for this Monday nighter, but it is what it is, two 4-7 teams in a battle to avoid last place in the AFC South. Welcome aboard.
Pregame - 6:54PM
The Jaguars are playing in their first road Monday night game since 2000, which was at Tennessee. Tonight's game begins a stretch of four games in 18 days, which ends with the Colts at "The Jack" on Thurs., Dec. 18.
Pregame - 7:20PM
The Jaguars inactives: William James, Thomas Williams, Brian Iwuh, Drew Miller, Mike Walker, Troy Williamson, Richard Angulo and Jeremy Mincey.
Pregame - 7:26PM
Matt Schaub is the Texans' third quarterback. The Jaguars are wearing all white tonight, which must mean they are making this "Battle White Night."
Pregame - 8:33PM
Schaub is not the number three quarterback; Craig Nall is. What that means is that Schaub is likely to play. Sorry for the misinformation.
Pregame - 8:38PM
I can't remember ever having covered a game with a crowd this small at kickoff time. This place is nowhere near half full.
Pregame - 8:38PM
Houston has won the coin toss and has elected to receive. Enjoy the game.
14:54 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 0
Andre Davis came close to breaking loose on the kickoff. The Texans start at their 31-yard line and the first play is a pass to Andre Johnson for 12 yards and a first down.
14:06 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 0
Steve Slaton bounces outside and down the sideline for 15 yards.
13:35 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 0
Slaton is running hard. He made three guys miss. Derrick Harvey didn't get off the block on the run around end. He needs to pick it up.
13:35 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 0
Slaton's killin' 'em. He gets a first down on a swing pass.
11:55 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
Touchdown! Sage Rosenfels hits Johnson with a deep curl and Johnson eludes Rashean Mathis for the score. It was a 31-yard completion.
11:55 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
That's a terrible start for the Jaguars defense. It didn't even force a third-down play.
11:49 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
False start on Khalif Barnes. You can't blame it on crowd noise.
11:49 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
False start on Maurice Jones-Drew. The Texans must be pumping in crowd noise.
09:56 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
Incomplete on third down; screen pass would've gone nowhere. Steve Weatherford is back to punt. He kicked a beauty. The Texans fair catch at their 46.
09:56 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
I just figured out why the Texans have "Battle Red Day." It's because the seats are red.
09:56 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
The Texans don't serve hot dogs in the press box. They serve steak.
09:56 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
Intercepted by Mathis. He jumped the slant; a really heads up play by Mathis. If he had kept his feet, he would've scored.
09:32 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
Well, that was shortlived. Texans cornerback Jacques Reeves jumps a pass for Jerry Porter and intercepts. The Texans have the ball at the Jaguars 48.
09:32 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
Slaton rushes for 13. The Texans are tearing holes in the Jaguars' defensive line.
08:53 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
David Garrard should not have thrown that pass for Porter. Reeves was all over him.
08:17 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
Rosenfels hits Owen Daniels for a gain to the Jaguars 20. This is getting ugly fast. Somebody needs to make a play for the Jags.
07:20 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 7
Houston is finally going to face a third down. It's third and 10.
06:33 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Incomplete for Kevin Walter. Kris Brown kicks a 38-yard field goal.
06:29 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
The Jags are right on the edge. They have to move the ball and stop the Texans from moving the ball or they are going to show their ugly side on Monday Night Football. The Texans have come into this game with more energy than the Jags.
06:20 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Jones-Drew stops the bleeding with a nice burst off left tackle for eight yards.
04:58 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Jones-Drew fumbles and the Texans have it at the Jags 28. The bleeding starts again.
03:59 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Houston ran the wildcat and it lost five yards. That's a lousy play.
03:05 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Good decision by Jack Del Rio to accept offensive pass interference on third down. It pushed the Texans back out of field goal range and then Quentin Groves stopped a screen pass to Slaton for a short gain. The Texans are punting.
01:44 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
The punt is downed at the Jags one-yard line. I think Del Rio is going to challenge.
01:44 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Yeah, he's challenging. The ball may have nipped the goal line, which would put the ball at the 20. By the way, coach Del Rio is wearing a handsome shirt, tie and leather jacket ensemble for the MNF cameras.
01:44 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
I think the call is going to stand.
01:44 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Yeah, it stands. The Jags lose a time out. I think the Jags were fishing.
01:01 left in 1st Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Fred Taylor breaks loose for a nice run that gets a first down at the 15.
15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
It doesn't take a genius to see what the Texans are doing on defense. They're packing the box and penetrating into the backfield. Why? Because there is no fear of getting beat by a wide receiver. The Jags have yet to complete a pass. That's the end of the first quarter.
15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
There's the first completion; a six-yard out to Reggie Williams. Please try something deep.
14:29 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
There you go; a back shoulder sideline pass for Matt Jones that gains 24 yards. The Texans were in press coverage.
13:45 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
I detect a hesitance in Garrard to throw deep. He lacks confidence in his receivers.
13:06 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Hard run for a first down and more by Jones-Drew. The Jags are at the Texans' 32.
11:46 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
False start by Barnes.
11:28 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Garrard scrambles to the 25. It's third and three.
10:04 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Slant to Porter; dropped. He short-armed it bad. I think I heard footsteps.
09:56 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Josh Scobee misses right from 43 yards. That's three in a row.
09:56 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Rosenfels is nibbling. Watch out deep. That's their MO. Nibble, nibble, bomb.
08:51 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Slaton runs around left end for a first down. Slaton is just too fast for the Jaguars' front.
There's the bomb but Reggie Nelson knocks it away in the end zone. Back to nibble, nibble.
06:44 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
The Texans have to punt. The Jags are playing better defense now.
03:02 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Sacked on third down. The Jags have to punt. It really bothers me that the Jags are being shut out by a Texans defense that might get the defensive coordinator fired.
02:29 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
A pass to Walter goes for a big gain to the Jaguars 43; gain of 30.
02:29 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Come on, Brian Williams. He hit Rosenfels three yards out of bounds.
That's a bad spot; it should be reviewed during the time out. Gerald Sensabaugh clearly made the stop shy of the 10-yard line.
01:31 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Play on; they didn't overturn it. I guarantee it was a bad spot. It's now second and goal at the 10.
00:41 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
The Jags aren't calling time out. They could've given themselves some time to mount a drive.
00:33 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
The Texans are going to kick a short field goal on fourth down. Now the Jags call time out, but there are only 33 seconds to play.
00:33 left in 2nd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
The Texans botch the snap. The Jags are going to get out of this half trailing by only 10 points.
Halftime
Slaton's got 50 yards rushing; Taylor has 33 and Jones-Drew 41. Garrard is five of eight for 39 yards and an interception. Rosenfels is 10 of 19 for 127, one and one.
Halftime
The Jaguars haven't scored on offense in the second half of any game since the win in Detroit.
14:52 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Mathis has a sprained right knee and will not return. Drayton Florence will replace him.
13:34 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Garrard just caught his own pass for a six-yard loss. This is getting ridiculous.
12:47 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Garrard hits Porter with what would've been the longest completion of the season but George Wrighster is called for facemasking.
12:47 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Jones-Drew drops a screen. That was not a good start to the second half.
12:06 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 10
Jacoby Jones returns the punt 28 yards to the Jaguars 38. The wheels are wobbling.
10:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
The Texans are attempting a long field goal. This could be a big play in this game. It's good. The Jags needed a miss there. They need field position in the worst way.
10:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
In my opinion, the Jaguars have to score on this drive or the rout is on.
10:07 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
Garrard hits Marcedes Lewis for 17.
09:29 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
Garrard threw deep for Matt Jones and the defender closed like he was standing still.
08:39 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
Garrard to Williams on the slant for a first down. That's great, but somebody needs to make a big play. They gotta get somebody open deep.
08:02 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
Garrard to Jones for a first down. The defender went for the pick-six and just missed. Garrard was a little late with that throw.
06:44 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
False start by Lewis. I think that's four of those tonight.
05:37 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
That's one of Fred's best runs of the year. He gained 24.
05:06 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
This is a must-score possession. It's second and 12 at the 15.
04:16 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 0, HOU: 13
Throw underneath to Jones goes nowhere. Scobee time. It's 29 yards. Good!
03:29 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 13
It's not the score you want but it's a score. Now the defense must respond.
03:29 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 13
Onside kick fails. The Texans recover at the Jags 42. All righty then.
03:28 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 13
Turn out the lights ... Steve Slaton just went beep, beep on a short pass. He went 45 yards to the Jags two-yard line.
02:52 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 13
This is where the Texans need the big back. It's third and goal from the two.
02:15 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 13
Time out, Houston.
00:46 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Speed doesn't work there. You need muscle. It's kick time. Good! The Texans go back to a 13-point lead.
00:46 left in 3rd Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Lovely shoestring catch by Lewis. Garrard's starting to move the ball.
15:00 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Fred's close to breaking one. We're at the end of the third quarter; second and five at the Texans 36.
14:55 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Fourth and two; easy decision.
14:09 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Nice throw and catch; Garrard to Jones along the sideline. It's a gain of 27 to the six. Garrard dropped it straight down into Jones' hands.
13:45 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
I've seen more long completions tonight than I've seen in any game or games this year.
13:00 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Time out, Jags. It's second and goal from the four. The Jags must score a touchdown. A field goal won't work here. This is four-down territory.
13:00 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Quarterback draw loses one. The Texans were ready for that play.
12:27 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Incomplete for Porter. It's fourth down. Here's the game.
12:27 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Garrard trips and falls. The party's over.
11:32 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Rosenfels throws out of his own end zone for a first down. Rosenfels is OK. He's grown into a legit quarterback. Too bad he blew that game against Indy.
10:52 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Slaton is the steal of the draft. He's rushed for 57 and caught passes for 52, but his effect on the game is much greater because of the fear his speed creates.
09:26 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
He tripped at the 50 or he was gone. I'm tellin' ya, when Slaton breaks the line of scrimmage, it's electric. He's a take-it-to-the-house guy every time he touches the ball.
08:36 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
I don't like what I'm seeing right now. Come on, guys, finish the game.
06:20 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
The Texans have to punt. The Jags will get terrible field position so they'll have to move quickly and in big chunks.
06:20 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Matt Jones has five catches for 83 yards. He's carved out a distinct role as a posession receiver who knows how to use his height along the boundary.
05:22 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
Jones is now the receiver for whom Garrard looks.
05:22 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
They're calling fumble and Texans recovery at the Jaguars six, but this will be challenged.
05:22 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
My first look tells me Garrard's arm had made a slight move forward, which would constitute an incomplete pass.
04:39 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 16
The ruling stands; I disagree with the call. I thought his arm had moved forward.
04:35 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 22
Touchdown! Slaton in a walk in.
03:27 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 3, HOU: 23
They've movin' now but it's too late.
02:11 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 9, HOU: 23
Touchdown! Fred has just scored his first touchdown of the year and the 70th of his career, a Jaguars record.
02:11 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 10, HOU: 23
Onside kick fails.
02:04 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 10, HOU: 29
Touchdown! Slaton goes 40 yards off right tackle untouched. It was as though he was shot out of a gun. He may be the fastest player I have ever seen.
02:04 left in 4th Qtr -- JAX: 10, HOU: 30
That's all, folks. I'm outta here. Thanks for joining me.
