Jacksonville Jaguars face new questions after loss

DUANEWS | October 20, 2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars remain one of the NFL’s top teams, but their latest defeat has raised fresh questions about their defense, consistency, and ability to compete with the league’s strongest opponents.

After falling 34–31 to the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday, the Jaguars enter their Week 7 bye with a 4–2 record and the lead in the AFC South.

However, the latest NFL power rankings, released Tuesday, show that analysts are divided over Jacksonville’s position among the league’s elite.

Jaguars Drop in Several NFL Rankings

The Jaguars fell from fifth to eighth in FOX Sports’ latest power rankings, while CBS Sports also placed Jacksonville eighth.

ESPN and NFL.com maintained the Jaguars at No. 5, reflecting continued confidence in the team’s overall performance despite Sunday’s disappointing result.

The rankings suggest that Jacksonville remains a serious contender, but its defensive performance against Houston has created uncertainty.

The Texans scored 34 points and produced a game-winning drive in the final moments, exposing weaknesses that the Jaguars will need to address.

Trevor Lawrence Delivers, but Defense Struggles

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence delivered a strong offensive performance against Houston, completing 24 of 41 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns.

Rookie Bhayshul Tuten caught two touchdown passes, while Travis Hunter made an impact on both sides of the ball.

Hunter caught a touchdown pass and intercepted Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in the end zone during the fourth quarter.

The interception helped Jacksonville regain possession, and kicker Cam Little later tied the game at 31 with a 60-yard field goal.

But Houston responded with another drive, setting up Ka’imi Fairbairn’s winning field goal as time expired.

The loss ended Jacksonville’s three-game winning streak.

Defense Faces Growing Scrutiny

Jacksonville’s defense entered the Houston matchup among the NFL’s strongest units in points allowed.

However, the Texans found success through the air and on the ground.

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns, while the Texans gained 114 rushing yards.

Jacksonville also failed to record a sack against Stroud.

That performance has raised questions about whether the Jaguars need additional pass-rushing help before the NFL trade deadline.

Despite the concerns, Jacksonville has demonstrated defensive consistency in other areas, including a lengthy streak of games without allowing an individual opponent to rush for 75 yards.

Head Coach Remains Confident

Head coach Liam Coen expressed confidence in his team following Sunday’s defeat.

Speaking Monday, Coen emphasized his belief in the Jaguars and praised Lawrence’s performance through the first six games.

The coach’s comments suggest that Jacksonville views the loss as an opportunity to make adjustments rather than a sign of a larger collapse.

Still, penalties remain another area of concern.

Several scoring opportunities have been erased by penalties this season, including a touchdown against Houston that was called back because of a holding penalty.

Such mistakes could become increasingly costly as the Jaguars face tougher competition later in the season.

A Crucial Bye Week for Jacksonville

The Jaguars will not play during Week 7, giving the team an opportunity to recover from its two-week trip to London and evaluate its performance.

Jacksonville enters the break with a two-game lead in the AFC South, maintaining a favorable position in the division race.

The upcoming schedule also offers opportunities to build momentum, with future matchups against Indianapolis, Tennessee, and the New York Giants.

However, maintaining a strong record will require improvements in defensive execution, pass protection, and avoiding costly penalties.

Can the Jaguars Remain Among the NFL’s Best?

At 4–2, Jacksonville has already demonstrated that it can compete at a high level.

The offense is showing encouraging signs, Lawrence is producing touchdowns, and Hunter is emerging as a versatile contributor.

But the loss to Houston demonstrated how quickly a promising performance can turn into defeat when a defense cannot secure a late stop.

For the Jaguars, the bye week arrives at an important moment.

Jacksonville remains in first place, but the biggest question is whether the team can correct its weaknesses and turn a promising start into a serious playoff run.