Stroud Answered After the Pick. Jacksonville Had Four TD Passes and Still Lost London.

Thirty-four to thirty-one, in London, on a last-second field goal. That's a hell of a way for Houston to leave England. Jacksonville did plenty to deserve the win, including Trevor Lawrence throwing four touchdowns. But football doesn't grade how entertaining your offense was. You have to make that final defensive stop, and the Jaguars didn't.

Stroud completed 24 of 34 for 312 yards, three touchdowns and one late interception. Jaylin Noel caught four passes for 107 yards and a score; Nico Collins added three for 74, and Foster Moreau hauled in two touchdown passes. Newly acquired Marvin Harrison Jr. chipped in three first-down catches for 34 yards. That's a real passing attack with options, not just one guy saving the quarterback every drive.

The matchup made almost every drive feel consequential. Jaylin Noel ripped off four catches for 107 yards and a touchdown, while C.J. Stroud attacked downfield without needing Houston to dominate the rushing game. Jacksonville countered with Travis Hunter contributing on BOTH sides of the ball: four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, plus an interception. That's the kind of impact you usually only imagine when you're arguing about a two-way player's potential.

Trevor Lawrence went 24-of-41 for 306 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Bhayshul Tuten caught two scores, Nate Boerkircher got his first NFL touchdown, and Travis Hunter caught four balls for 59 yards and a touchdown. Hunter also intercepted Stroud in the end zone in the fourth quarter. That two-way impact deserves its own praise, even on a losing team.

Jacksonville's Cam Little kicked a 60-yard field goal to tie the game 31-31 with 1:55 left. Then Stroud took over after his own late red-zone interception, moved Houston into position and Ka'imi Fairbairn ended it with a 49-yard kick as time expired. Houston ran for 114 yards against a respected run defense, and Jawhar Jordan had a 25-yard touchdown run. This wasn't just passing fireworks.

Houston's defense still allowed 31 points and four passing touchdowns despite a huge red-zone interception by Calen Bullock. Jacksonville couldn't make the last stop despite getting the ball back through Hunter's interception. There are two defenses here with film to hate; only one offense got the final possession right.

My take: I wanted to see Stroud respond when the game stopped being comfortable, not just look good when the lead was safe. He did that. I'm not pretending Houston is fixed after one London shootout, but that's genuine progress. Lawrence didn't choke away four touchdowns; Jacksonville couldn't protect what its quarterback built.

Official game footage and verified reports