If there was ever a visual representation of the word collapse, it was shown today. Depending on who you were rooting for, you were either overjoyed or over it. For three quarters, it looked like the Jacksonville Jaguars were about to make a statement in the AFC South. Then, everything unraveled in 15 brutal minutes. The Jaguars watched a 19-point lead evaporate in shocking fashion Sunday afternoon, as the Houston Texans stormed back to win 36-29 at NRG Stadium — capping off one of the most improbable comebacks in franchise history.

The Jaguars came out sharp. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence operated with poise, the defense applied steady pressure, and special teams delivered a spark when Parker Washington electrified the field with a 72-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter.

Jacksonville built a 29-10 advantage heading into the fourth quarter, seemingly in full control. Washington also added a 7-yard receiving touchdown, and the Jaguars’ defensive front bottled up Houston’s run game through three quarters.

But then came the collapse.

With starter C.J. Stroud sidelined, backup quarterback Davis Mills engineered a fourth quarter for the ages. The Texans scored 26 unanswered points, out-gaining Jacksonville 196 yards to 11 in the final frame.

Mills finished with 292 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one rushing score — including a clutch 14-yard scramble for the go-ahead TD with under a minute remaining. A fumble return touchdown in the final seconds sealed the deal for Houston.

What had once been a commanding Jaguars performance turned into chaos — penalties, poor tackling, and conservative play-calling all contributing to the meltdown. Jacksonville finished the game with nine penalties for 90 yards, and its offense failed to record a first down in the final quarter.

This one will sting for the Jaguars. Losing a division game is bad enough — blowing a 19-point lead makes it worse. It marks the largest blown lead in franchise history, and the type of loss that can define a season if not corrected quickly.

Lawrence, who threw for 158 yards and a touchdown, couldn’t find rhythm late as Houston’s defense tightened. The offensive line struggled with protection, and Jacksonville’s play-calling grew predictable.

Head Coach Doug Pederson will have plenty to review on film: missed opportunities in the red zone, mental lapses on defense, and a failure to match the Texans’ energy when momentum swung.

The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon