Here are the top defensive players for the Houston Texans in their 17-10 Week 3 loss against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
For the first time since 2018, the Houston Texans are 0-3.
With two red zone interceptions from C.J. Stroud and a fumble by Nico Collins, the Jacksonville Jaguars outlasted the Texans in a 17-10 battle at EverBank Stadium. Houston's offense finished with less than 300 yards and finished with a 30 percent success rate on third down.
“We give the ball to one of our best players, Nico,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of the red zone turnover. "We trust him with the football. He knows it. I know he hates it more than anyone else, to have the ball taken away from him there. That was tough.”
Jalen Pitre's fourth-quarter interception led to Stroud's lone scoring drive, a 49-yard touchdown pass to Collins. After the Collins' fumble, Brian Thomas Jr. made the play of the afternoon with a 46-yard pick to set up the Jaguars inside Houston's red zone. Travis Etienne scooted his way into the end zone for a 10-yard score and the lead.
On the last drive, the Texans were moving thanks to a pair of third-down conversions. On third-and-1, Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen slapped the ball after beating rookie offensive tackle Tay Ersey, to alter Stroud's trajectory as the quarterback released it. Defensive back Antonio Johnson intercepted the wobbly play to seal the victory.
Full extension from @JoshHinesAllen ✔️
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 21, 2025
The diving grab from @Antonio_johns0n ✔️
📺: NFL+ pic.twitter.com/yy5HF2Wgdl
Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in Houston's loss against the Jaguars and we broke them down by offense and defense. Below are the five highest and lowest grades on the offensive side of the ball after a surprising performance at Ford Field.
There were a few surprises in terms of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both on offense and defense. In fact, most of you can already guess who graded out in stellar and horrendous fashion.
Here's a look at the five best defensive players below:
Top 5 defense
- DL Tim Settle - 91.1
- DL Sheldon Rankins - 90.0
- DE Will Anderson Jr. -89.9
- DB Jalen Pitre - 87.9
- DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Pitre, who recorded the must-needed interception in the fourth quarter, graded out with a season-high 90.0 coverage grade. Settle and Rankins each impressed in run support, grading out with a 79.1 and 87.1 run defensive grade, respectively.
Bottom 5 defense
- DL Mario Edwrds Jr. -38.6
- DB M.J. Stewart - 38.8
- LB Henry To'oTo'o - 41.0
- LB E.J. Speed - 42.0
- LB Azeez Al-Shaair - 50.0
Al-Shaair made eight tackles, but he also missed three stops. To'oTo'o made nine stops, but also missed three tackles.
Other notables
- DB Kamari Lassiter - 62.2
- DB Calen Bullock - 52.2
- DE Derek Stingley Jr. - 57.7
- LB Christian Harris - 73.3
- DE Danielle Hunter - 58.8
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans PFF grades: Top & Bottom defensive players in loss vs. Jags
Category: Football
