Texans win over Jags results in 8-8 season record

The Houston Texans completed the best season in their six-year history by beating Jacksonville 42-28 Sunday afternoon to finish with an 8-8 record.

"It was important that we finished the right way," said Houston coach Gary Kubiak after the game.

"We went through a lot this year with injuries. We know that something good is going on, and it was a small step forward. Our football team is going to the next step but it will be hard. I had a good feeling today and we're a much better football team than last year."

While the playoff bound Jaguars had little incentive, the Texans played inspired football throughout the game.

Kubiak added, "It's a tough league to win in. Our whole football team has to get better and we have to build roster strength. We have a long way to go."

The Texans got two big kickoff returns for touchdown by Andre Davis,

His first, a 94-yarder, came with under a minute before halftime.

Then he took the second half kickoff and returned it 104 yards, which put the Texans up 28-14.

"He took the team on his shoulders, " said Kubiak.

Houston broke a record for the most points in a game in their six-year history.

Hopefully, a healthier Houston team next year will propel the Texans into the playoffs.

"I've got so far to go as head coach but have good guys around me," said Kubiak.

Quarterback Sage Rosenfels had mediocre game, passing for just over 200 yards. He had one interception.

He started the last six games for the injured Matt Schaub so there could be a quarterback battle before next season starts.

"We had to win a division game and that was big," said Rosenfels. going to find a way to win this football game."

The Texans didn't play their best defensive game but made the plays when the had to.

Jacksonville took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards for a touchdown when David Garrard connected with Reggie Williams on a 22-yard pass with 7:12 remaining.

Houston responded and drove to the Jacksonville 45 but Rosenfels was sacked for an 8- yard loss and had to punt.

The Jaguars took over at their own 18-yard line with 4:03 remaining but had to punt four plays later

Houston took over at it's own 32-yard line with 2:20 remaining.

The Texans crossed midfield again but had to punt.

Jacksonville muffed the punt and Andre Davis recovered a fumble and the Texans took over at the Jaguars' six-yard line with eight seconds left.

Running back Ron Dayne then made it to the two and the quarter ended. Dayne scored on the next play with 14:57.

Houston drove to the Jacksonville 34-yard line as the clocked ticked under eight minutes in the second quarter

Later on a fourth and goal- Then on a fourth-and-goal from the two, Owen Daniels caught a pass at the back of the end zone for a touchdown with 3:21 remaining. Kris Brown's kick put the Texans up 14.

Jacksonville responded when Ernest Wilson caught a 6-yard touchdown pass with only 29 seconds left. Josh Scobee booted the extra point kick to tie the score.

Andre Davis took the ensuing kickoff and ran 97 yards down the left sidelines for a touchdown. Brown's kick put the Texans up 21-14 with only 15 ticks left.

Then he returned the secoond half kickoff 104 yards to make it 28-14.

It was the Texans' longest touchdown in team history.

"He's (Davis) probably at the top in the league at this point," said Kubiak

Houston got the ball back after a Jacksonville punt and Ron Dayne scored on a 12-yard run with 7:19 remaining. Brown's kick put the Texans up 35-14.

Jacksonville responded with a long touchdown drive to bring the score to 35-21 with 1:53 minutes remaining in the third quarter

The Texans answered back in the fourth quarter when running back Darrius Walker scored from the one/

touchdown with 13:07 remaining. Brown's kick made it 41-21.

Jacksonville then got a touchdown whenQuinn Gray then connected with Ernest Wilford on a 17- yard pass. The kick made it 42-28.

While 8-8 is a vast improvement, fans should expect nothing less than the Texans making the playoffs next season.