In a heated AFC South clash that will be remembered more for its controversies than the final score, the Houston Texans stunned the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20 on Sunday. The game was marred by a violent hit that knocked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence out with a concussion, igniting tempers and sparking a pair of sideline-clearing brawls between the bitter divisional rivals.
Al-Shaair’s Controversial Hit Leaves Lawrence Concussed
The pivotal moment came in the second quarter when Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair delivered a vicious elbow to the head of a sliding Lawrence. The defenseless quarterback immediately showed signs of a concussion, clenching both fists in what’s known as a “fencing response” – a telltale indication of traumatic brain injury.
As Lawrence lay motionless, teammates rushed to his aid, with the Jaguars’ Evan Engram and other players confronting Al-Shaair. The volatile scene quickly devolved into a full-scale brawl, with punches thrown as coaches and officials struggled to separate the combatants. Al-Shaair was ejected for the egregious hit, which will likely draw a hefty fine and possible suspension from the league.
Texans Rally Without Lawrence
With Lawrence sidelined, veteran backup Mac Jones nearly led Jacksonville to an improbable comeback. Down 23-6 in the fourth quarter, Jones tossed two late touchdown passes to pull the Jags within a field goal. But the Texans’ punishing ground game, led by Joe Mixon’s 101 yards and a score, ultimately sealed the victory and kept Houston atop the division.
“We knew they would come out swinging, but there’s no excuse for some of that extracurricular stuff after the whistle,” said a Texans team source. “Hopefully Trevor (Lawrence) will clear protocol soon, but we can’t have games devolving into a melee like that. The league needs to review this one closely.”
Playoff Implications in Muddled AFC South
The win, however ugly, further solidified the 8-5 Texans’ perch atop the middling AFC South. But the upstart Jaguars, preseason darlings now mired in a six-game losing streak, likely saw their fading postseason hopes extinguished at 2-10. How swiftly a season that began with such promise in Jacksonville has careened off the rails.
The health of Lawrence, the face of the franchise and former #1 overall pick, now becomes the paramount concern. The second-year signal-caller has endured a trying sophomore campaign behind a suspect offensive line, and this latest brain injury only compounds those struggles. Repeated concussions can have devastating long-term effects, and the Jags must proceed with extreme caution.
Other Notable Week 13 Results
- Colts 25, Patriots 24: Anthony Richardson’s late-game heroics lift Indy
- Vikings 23, Cardinals 22: Sam Darnold rallies Minnesota from 13 down
- Steelers 44, Bengals 38: Russel Wilson outduels Joe Burrow in shootout
But the weekend’s headline will undoubtedly center on the fracas in Jacksonville – an unseemly display of bad blood in a league still grappling with its concussion crisis. As the playoff race heats up, the NFL can ill afford more ugly incidents overshadowing the on-field product. Here’s hoping clearer heads prevail in the season’s final stretch.
