JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2023 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 24-21 victory over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Sunday

BIG IMPRESSION

• The Jaguars beat the Texans in a rivalry game that should be "must-see" television for the next decade. The AFC South rivals engaged in a back-and-forth game that featured big plays from franchise quarterbacks and a collection of stars on each side. The Jaguars' offensive performance was spectacular, showing the football world what it had been waiting for since wide receiver Calvin Ridley joined the squad. The former Pro Bowler played like an elite pass catcher against the Texans with five catches for 89 yards with one touchdown and a two-point conversion. With wide receiver Christian Kirk (four catches, 89 yards), tight end Luke Farrell (three catches, 55 yards) and tight end Evan Engram (five catches, 49 yards) also contributing, it is easy to see why quarterback Trevor Lawrence posted a 300-yard passing game in one of the finest performances of his young career.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• The Jaguars' defense held its own against one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league. Outside linebacker Josh Allen and Co. harassed Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud from the opening snap to the final buzzer. The constant pressure forced the rookie sensation to make a series of "hero" throws to keep the Texans ahead of schedule. Allen's domination of All-Pro tackle Laremy Tunsil sparked a series of splash plays that enabled the Jaguars to close the game properly. The relentless pressure from the veteran and his frontline teammates disrupted Stroud's flow, resulting in some sacks that should be categorized as "user" errors in the scorebook.

TREVOR'S TIME

• Lawrence, the former No. 1 overall selection, played with an edginess that suggested his showdown against Stroud and the Texans was far more personal than the third-year pro indicated. Lawrence's confidence, determination and competitive arrogance energized an offense that sputtered most of the season. On Sunday, the unit operated like a well-oiled machine behind an efficient performance from Lawrence (23 of 38 passes for 364 yards with a touchdown and an interception) that showcased his impressive talents as a blue-chip player. As QB1 gets comfortable playing in high-stakes contests against elite quarterbacks, the Jaguars' win totals should surge in 2024 and beyond.

UNSUNG HERO

• Allen has evolved into an elite pass rusher this season. Despite earning Pro Bowl honors in 2019 following a productive rookie campaign with 10.5 sacks, the fifth-year veteran has not dominated consistently on the edges until this season. Allen's speed, power and explosiveness make offensive tackles unable to match his wiggle and pop at the line of scrimmage. Tunsil found out the hard way, as Allen totaled 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hits against the Texans and the perennial Pro Bowler. With the persistent pressure forcing Stroud to flee the pocket under duress, Allen's disruptive presence played a significant role in the rookie quarterback faltering down the stretch.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The offense finally flashed the explosiveness many expected when Ridley joined a productive unit featuring three established perimeter playmakers with Kirk, Engram and wide receiver Zay Jones slotted into the lineup. The spectacular pass-catching quartet created and exploited mismatches all over the field against the Texans, leading Lawrence to a 300-yard game that silenced the critics picking apart his game. With QB1 confident and comfortable throwing from the pocket, the Jaguars moved the ball up and down the field against a stingy defense.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The Jaguars' defense conceded more points than expected, but the unit stood tall against Stroud in a fourth-quarter rally. The Jaguars, led by Allen, forced Stroud to play on the run after the frontline disrupted the timing of the passing game with a persistent rush. As constant harassment and punishment took a toll on the rookie, the Texans' offense sputtered with Stroud running around like a madman to escape the pressure. Although Stroud connected a few highlight passes on impromptu scrambles, the Jaguars kept the Texans in check by forcing the rookie out of his comfort zone in key moments.