Texans beat Jaguars in London

Sports · Heat 1.7 / 10 · 8 shows · 1h 44m airtime

The Houston Texans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on October 18 in Week 6 of the 2026 season, improving to 2-4. Both Jaguars home games against the Texans are in London because of stadium renovations, with Orlando as the interim home. Travis Hunter became the first player since Brian Dawkins in 2002 to score on offense and defense in a game, and C.J. Stroud posted a 96.9 total QBR, the second-best quarterback game of the season. The discussion has moved to Houston's defense, which ranks 20th at 24 points a game after 17 last year and has allowed 30 three times in 2026 after never doing so in 2025. Jacksonville had not allowed 20 or more points since Week…

How 8 podcasts covered it

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-13 (8:22 to 13:33)
Weighs the London matchup and the penalty problem
Previews the London meeting between Houston and Jacksonville, weighing whether the Texans are ascendant and whether the Jaguars are the more complete team. It puts a number on Jacksonville's discipline problem and notes the line has already moved off three.
New angle: The Jaguars are averaging about 10 penalties a game, and the line moved from three to two and a half on most markets.
First Take, 2026-10-15 (42:10 to 46:18)
Adds the playoff forecast and the remaining schedule
Debates whether Houston can salvage a 1-4 start, leaning on ESPN Analytics' remaining-schedule projections and Stroud's interception-free streak. The new material is the forecast itself: Houston favored in all but three of its last 12 games, with a 23 percent playoff chance.
New angle: ESPN Analytics favors the Texans in all but three of their remaining 12 games and gives them a 23% playoff chance.
Pardon My Take, 2026-10-16 (53:46 to 1:02:07)
Explains why Jacksonville gives up a home date
Previews the London game before it is played, and puts on the record why Jacksonville is giving up a home date: stadium renovations mean both Texans games are Jaguars home games, with Orlando as the interim home. The rest is spread talk, blood pudding and a Paris riot tangent.
New angle: Both Jaguars home games against the Texans are in London because of stadium renovations, with Orlando as the interim home.
The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL, 2026-10-19 (1:03:53 to 1:26:46)
Puts the Texans' defensive problems on record
Long film-room segment on the London game. Praises both quarterbacks and Jacksonville's game plan, then puts the Texans' defensive problems on the record: the middle of the field, and a third-quarter touchdown drive with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter off the field.
New angle: Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter were off the field for a Jaguars third-quarter touchdown drive.
Pardon My Take, 2026-10-19 (14:49 to 31:25)
Adds the Jaguars' scoring streak snapped in London
Recaps the London win and Stroud's return to form, then adds a figure not yet on the record: Jacksonville's defense had not allowed 20 or more points since Week 10 of last season before this game. Stays inside the game itself, with a detour into the surface and the kicking decision.
New angle: The Jaguars had not allowed 20 or more points since Week 10 of last season before this game.
Nightcap, 2026-10-19 (52:12 to 1:01:20)
Adds Stroud's 96.9 QBR in the London win
Runs through Houston's London win with the numbers: Stroud's 312 yards and 96.9 QBR, Noel's 107 yards, Harrison's first game with the team, and Hunter's nine offensive snaps. The Hunter usage argument is a retread; the Stroud efficiency figure is new to the record.
New angle: C.J. Stroud posted a 96.9 total QBR, the second-best quarterback game of the season behind Brock Purdy's Week 2.
First Take, 2026-10-19 (31:57 to 38:31)
Debates Texans versus Rams after London win
Debates whether the 2-4 Texans or the 2-4 Rams are the better team after Houston's London win. Recaps the Jacksonville finish and Stroud's one interception, and stays inside the week's Rams and Texans coverage.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-19 (20:55 to 23:30)
Recaps the London win and praises Stroud
Recaps the London win as a well-played game, praising Stroud, Lawrence and Hunter, and wonders whether Marvin Harrison's 12-snap, three-catch debut will embarrass Arizona. Stays inside the game coverage already on the record.
The Ryen Russillo Show, 2026-10-19 (29:39 to 41:20)
Breaks down Houston's offense and defensive decline
Breaks down Houston's spread-and-shred offense against Jacksonville - Stroud's hot answers against the blitz, the run game finally working - then puts numbers on the defensive decline: 20th in scoring defense, 24 points a game allowed after 17 last season.
New angle: The Texans' scoring defense ranks 20th this season, allowing 24 points a game after 17 last year.
The Rich Eisen Show, 2026-10-19 (18:06 to 24:45)
Recaps the London shootout and Hunter's big day
Recaps the London game as the best of the day: no sacks, both quarterbacks lighting it up, Hunter's touchdown and interception, and Stroud back to rookie form. Stays inside the week's coverage, adding only color on Hunter's London history and the AFC South picture.
First Things First, 2026-10-19 (1:20:29 to 1:25:49)
Debates whether Houston is scary after London
Debates whether Houston is officially scary after the London win, weighing Stroud's best-game case against a defense that has now allowed 30 points three times. Adds the coordinator change and the Marvin Harrison trade, and calls out Liam Coen's late 60-yard field goal.
New angle: The Texans have allowed 30 points three times in 2026 after never allowing 30 in 2025.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-19 (36:49 to 41:24)
Recaps London win and Hunter's two-way score
Recaps Houston's London win over Jacksonville, working through Stroud's bounce-back day, Trevor Lawrence's four touchdowns against a Texans defense that did not sack him, and Sherman's case that the Jaguars finally found the right two-way snap split for Travis Hunter.
New angle: Travis Hunter is the first player since Brian Dawkins in 2002 to score on offense and defense in a game.