JACKSONVILLE – A day later, his assessment didn't change much.

The Jaguars on Sunday lost to the Houston Texans, 37-21, in the 2021 regular-season opener – a game that Head Coach Urban Meyer immediately afterward said was defined by avoidable mistakes that must get corrected.

Meyer, speaking to the media Monday, said his impression remained much the same.

"The self-inflicted errors on offense … unacceptable," Meyer said, emphasizing the Jaguars' offense was called for nine penalties – seven of which were enforced. "[It was] about what I thought."

The Jaguars, in Meyer's NFL head-coaching debut, were penalized seven times for 53 yards in the first half and dropped multiple first-half passes. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence also threw interceptions on back-to-back second-quarter drives.

The Texans led 14-0 lead entering the second quarter, then led 27-7 at halftime en route to a 34-7 lead early in the third quarter. The Jaguars were called for eight offensive penalties on their first five drives, with six being enforced. Four were four holding, three were for illegal formations and one was for too many players on the field.

"That's just lack of discipline, lack of focus," Meyer said of the pre-snap formation and too-many-players penalties.

The Jaguars threw 51 passes with a sack and had 16 rushing plays. Meyer, asked if coaches considered running the regular offense when trailing in the second half as opposed to throwing extensively and running sparingly, said the Jaguars never quit trying to win.

"There was never a time we threw up the red flag and said, 'We're done,''' Meyer said. "We've seen it before and I've been a part of games like that, where a guy catches fire and you come back."

Meyer was asked if he learned anything from his first NFL game.

"Just that when talent becomes equated, there is no margin for error," Meyer said. "It's just consistency and any time you're facing talented teams your margin for error is very minimal."

Also Monday:

• Meyer addressed a pass rush that registered one sack – by third-year defensive end/linebacker Josh Allen. Meyer said Monday Allen was the Jaguars' best defensive player Sunday but added that the Jaguars had Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the grasp three times before the veteran escaped – twice making long completions that led to first-half touchdowns. "Obviously, you expect more sacks than that, but also understand who you're going against," Meyer said. "He spun out a couple of times." …
• Lawrence completed 28 of 51 passes for three touchdowns and 332 yards with three interceptions in his first start. Meyer said all three interceptions were easily correctable. …
• Meyer praised the Jaguars' punt coverage team, which held Texans returner Andre Roberts to 17 yards on three returns Sunday. "One of the bright spots is that returner is outstanding and we kept him in check all night," Meyer said. Punter Logan Cooke punted six times for a 49.5-yard average with a 46.7-yard net. …
• Meyer, discussing positives from Sunday, mentioned running backs James Robinson and Carlos Hyde, who rushed for 25 yards on five carries and 44 yards on nine carries, respectively. The Jaguars rushed for 76 yards on 16 carries, with Meyer reiterating on Monday what he said Sunday – that early penalties prevented the Jaguars from running as often as would have been ideal. "That was one of the bright spots," Meyer said, adding that the team's tight ends also "played decent in the run game. We blocked decent in the run game and the running backs ran hard. We got out of schedule." …