Notebook From Houston Texans' Narrow Loss to Jacksonville Jaguars

The Houston Texans were just inches away from an overtime opportunity against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon.

The NFL is truly a game of inches as Matt Ammendola and the Houston Texans can attest.

On fourth and 12 with just over 30 seconds left to play in Houston on Sunday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans opted to trot out the field goal unit for a 58-yard attempt to try and tie the Jacksonville Jaguars at 24 and potentially send the game into overtime. Ammendola had never made an NFL kick of over 50 yards, but he was just inches away from coming through on Sunday.

His kick bounced off the crossbar, and the Texans fell to their division rivals by a final score of 24-21. Here are some observations from the loss in Houston.

Nov 26, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts a pass during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports / © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1. Despite the loss, C.J. Stroud was once again incredible.

Texans fans are bought in. After Stroud connected with Nico Collins for a critical score in the fourth quarter, "MVP" chants filled NRG Stadium. The Houston quarterback finished the day with 304 passing yards on 26 completions, and he truly looks like an MVP candidate in his rookie season. 

He's the cog that makes the Texans go, and performances like these, even in a loss, are huge for this franchise.

2. Nico Collins breaks the century mark.

Collins was Stroud's favorite target on the day, hauling in seven receptions for 104 yards and a score. Devin Singletary (54 yards) and Tank Dell (50) were second and third in the receiving yards category as Stroud spread the ball to 10 different receivers on Sunday.

WATCH: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins Connect for Touchdown in Comeback Attempt vs. Jaguars

3. "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."

The bottom line of the day is that the Texans came up short, and they are now two games behind the Jags in the division. It's a brutal and heartbreaking loss, but there are some good things to take away from this game for Houston.

Still, that won't be enough to salve the wounds or the AFC South standings this week. Houston will now try to turn the page and prepare for a home date with the Denver Broncos next week to conclude a three-game homestand.