The Jacksonville Jaguars entered Week 10 at 5–3, carrying cautious optimism despite an offense that has struggled to find consistency. But on Sunday, it was the defense that unraveled in alarming fashion.
After building a commanding 19-point lead heading into the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans, Jacksonville completely fell apart, allowing four unanswered touchdowns while failing to generate a single quarterback pressure. The result: a stunning collapse that raises serious questions about the Jaguars’ trajectory.
Former NFL LB Blames Jaguars Coaching Staff for Shocking Texans Loss
Houston’s comeback relied on efficient, methodical drives. Jacksonville’s front seven applied pressure at times but could not deliver a game-ending stop. Missed tackles and failed wrap-ups allowed extra yardage, turning previously minimal gains into crucial conversions for Houston.
The Jaguars had multiple opportunities to halt Houston, but the defense could not make the decisive stop. Each sustained Houston drive eroded the lead and confidence of Jacksonville. Head coach Liam Coen and his staff looked increasingly uncertain as momentum shifted.
The strip sack of Trevor Lawrence by Will Anderson Jr. and the scoop-and-score by Sheldon Rankins on the final play completed the dramatic comeback. Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho placed the blame squarely on the coaching staff.
“The Jaguars blew a 29-10 lead in the 4th quarter, being outscored 26-0 in the final 15 minutes of play. They ran 9 plays totaling 1 yard on their final 3 drives. Coaching malpractice. 🤮🤮🤮,” Acho wrote.
The Jaguars blew a 29-10 lead in the 4th quarter, being outscored 26-0 in the final 15 minutes of play.
They ran 9 plays totaling 1 yard on their final 3 drives. Coaching malpractice. 🤮🤮🤮 https://t.co/6ge7R0KfQ0 pic.twitter.com/bEGijigoRG
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 9, 2025
The collapse dropped the Jaguars to 5–4, reducing their postseason chances to 43.6 percent, according to PFSN’s Playoff Predictor. Losing a game with a 19-point lead late stands as one of the most painful defeats in Jaguars history. It was their first loss in 65 games when leading by 18 or more.
“I mean I was on the headset hearing [defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile] call [plays],” Coen said, via ESPN. “You’re a little susceptible in the back end when you blitz, and then when we four-man rush we’re not getting home. That’s the reality, and that’s a hard place as any coach to be in, and players as well at times.
“So we’ve got to go watch the tape to see exactly every call, but I didn’t necessarily think that we were putting these guys in really bad positions. You’re kind of trying to hold onto a lead and make them earn it and we let up too many explosive plays.”
A lack of sustained defensive pressure and an unwillingness to run the ball while Lawrence absorbed sacks were primary factors in the collapse.
Next week, Jacksonville hosts the 7–3 Los Angeles Chargers in what may be a must-win game, as the Jaguars are back against the ropes. The team will need to re-establish the running game, protect Lawrence far better, and get the defense to close out opponents. How the Jaguars respond will reveal much about their resilience and the coaching staff’s ability to adjust.
