Sep 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach David Culley and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer talk on the field before the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
NFLBy Matt Clapp on

The Houston Texans entered the 2021 NFL season at the very bottom of most power rankings, and with the lowest win total over/under (of 4) according to most betting outlets. Well, not only did the Texans win their first game, but they did so in blowout fashion.

As a three-point underdog, the Texans took down the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-21 on Sunday in Houston. And seven of those Jacksonville points came in garbage time in the final minutes. Houston even led 34-7 in the third quarter. This was a beatdown by the Texans, something most evaluators wouldn’t have expected to see from this Houston squad all season.

Journeyman quarterback Tyrod Taylor was sharp for Houston as the current Deshaun Watson replacement, completing 21-of-33 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 112.1 passer rating. The Texans also ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries.

It was a very surprising performance by the Texans, but it was also an absolutely dreadful effort by the Jaguars.

This game was the NFL debut for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and the NFL coaching debut for Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer.

Now, in Lawrence’s case, this looked like how you’d expect for a rookie quarterback. We saw flashes of the No. 1 overall picks’ fantastic abilities, with 332 yards passing and three touchdowns.

However, he also threw three interceptions and finished with a 70.1 passer rating.

Lawrence wasn’t put in much of a position to succeed, either, both due to a lackluster supporting cast and very questionable coaching. The Jaguars didn’t even have a rushing attempt until the final minute of the first quarter, and that was their only rushing attempt of the quarter, compared to 11 passing attempts from Lawrence. While the Jaguars threw the ball 51 times, they ran the ball just 16 games. Yes, some of that is a result of falling behind multiple scores early, but they didn’t even try to run the ball early either.

And defensively, Jacksonville looked like a potential league-worst unit.

It’s a pretty concerning start for Meyer’s NFL coaching career, and the game comes on the same day (more) reports emerged that Meyer’s coaching style isn’t being received well by Jacksonville players and even other coaches. If Jacksonville doesn’t improve their play in the coming weeks, this situation is sure to get ugly (and again, it seems that may already be the case).

The Jaguars will host the Denver Broncos (who have a far better defense than Houston) in Week 2, while the Texans will have a much more difficult challenge on the road against the Cleveland Browns.

Related: 5 teams that Urban Meyer is most likely coaching this time next year

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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