3 Jaguars players who cooked, 2 who burnt out in Week 12 crucial win vs. the Texans
• It wasn't easy, but the Jags showed they can win close games
• Here are 3 players who made the win possible, and 2 who struggled.
No. 1 player who cooked vs. the Texans in Week 12: Josh Allen, OLB
Outside linebacker Josh Allen entered a contract year in 2023. Instead of giving him an extension, the team's brass opted to let his contract play out in hopes that the former first-round pick would reach his potential. From the start of the season, Allen has been a man on a mission, playing at an elite level and becoming the player the Jaguars expected.
Although the former Kentucky Wildcat had had other productive outings this season, the one against the Texans tops the rest. Allen had four hits and brought down C.J. Stroud early in the game. He registered two more sacks — to set a new career best of 12.0 — with the game on the line on the Texans' last drive. That's the kind of performance you expect from your franchise players and Jacksonville has one in Josh Allen.
No. 1 Jaguars player who burnt out vs. the Texans in Week 12: Zay Jones, WR
The Jags are most definitely pleased that wide receiver Zay Jones is back in the lineup after missing five games. Opposing teams must now account for him, which in turn prevents them from zeroing in on Calvin Ridley or Christian Kirk. On the other hand, Jones has been quiet the past two games. Against the Titans, he had four receptions for 20 yards and he only tallied one reception for 10 yards in Week 12.
Maybe Jones is still not 100 percent from the knee injury that's held him back. It's possible that he'll get a bigger target share in the upcoming weeks. But on a day in which Ridley and Kirk showed out, Jones wasn't much of a factor.
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