The Jacksonville Jaguars changed quarterbacks in the fourth quarter in Houston on October 1, 1995, and in the process changed their fortunes, both immediate and the future.
The expansion Jaguars were 0-4 and appeared headed for their fifth consecutive loss after surrendering a 10-0 first quarter lead to the Oilers, and a 16-10 fourth quarter deficit.
Head Coach Tom Coughlin pulled veteran quarterback Steve Beuerlein and inserted Mark Brunell in an attempt to revive an offense that had gone dormant since the first quarter. The change didn't pay instant dividends as the offense continued to struggle and couldn't find the end zone.
The Oilers were playing conservatively with their running game, trying to protect the lead, when defensive end Jeff Lageman stripped the ball from Houston running back Rodney Thomas with just under 2:30 to play.
Brunell immediately went to work and put together a five-play drive that ended with Desmond Howard crossing the goal line on a 15-yard strike.
Mike Hollis' extra point gave the Jaguars their first-ever fourth quarter lead and their first-ever win when Al Del Greco's potential game-winning field goal attempt sailed wide.
No one was even thinking about the playoffs at 1-4, but it felt like the Jaguars had won the Super Bowl. After so many months of building the franchise from the ground up and all of the excitement in Jacksonville surrounding the Inaugural Season, the win in the Astrodome in Houston that day let the Jaguars feel as if they had finally arrived with their 17-16 win over the Oilers.
The plane ride home was a boisterous affair that lasted a bit longer than the two-hours it was scheduled for. Head coach Tom Coughlin had to leave his seat in the first row to walk back and ask his players to take a seat so the charter flight could actually land in Jacksonville.
